• Killer Robots

    Fully autonomous weapons, also known as "killer robots," would be able to select and engage targets without human intervention. Fully autonomous weapons do not exist yet, but they are being developed by several countries and precursors to fully autonomous weapons have already been deployed by high-tech militaries. Some experts predict that fully autonomous weapons could be operational in 20 to 30 years. These weapons would be incapable of meeting international humanitarian law standards, including the rules of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. The weapons would not be constrained by the capacity for compassion, which can provide a key check on the killing of civilians. Fully autonomous weapons also raise serious questions of accountability because it is unclear who should be held responsible for any unlawful actions they commit. Human Rights Watch calls for a preemptive prohibition on fully autonomous weapons.

  • The United Kingdom’s Taranis combat aircraft, whose prototype was unveiled in 2010, is designed to strike distant targets, “even in another continent.” While the Ministry of Defence has stated that humans will remain in the loop, the Taranis exemplifies the move toward increased autonomy.
    © 2010 AP Photo
    Ban ‘Killer Robots’ Before It’s Too Late

    Governments should pre-emptively ban fully autonomous weapons because of the danger they pose to civilians in armed conflict.

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Killer Robots

  • Prevent 'Killer Robots' Deciding When to Kill on Battlefield
    May 30, 2013
    It is clear that many countries are moving toward systems that would give full combat autonomy to the high-tech machines of the future.
  • US: Take Lead Against Lethal Robotic Weapons
    May 28, 2013

    The United States should endorse the call by a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur to halt fully autonomous robotic weapons.

  • Arms/US: Endorse Recommendations of Heyns Report on Lethal Autonomous Robotics
    May 14, 2013

    Human Rights Watch calls on the United States to welcome the Heyns report on lethal autonomous robotics and endorse its four recommendations, which in effect urge all states to take steps similar to those the United States is already committing to take on fully autonomous weapons.

  • Arms: New Campaign to Stop Killer Robots
    Apr 23, 2013

    Civil society will lead the way to press governments to ban fully autonomous weapons

  • US: Ban Fully Autonomous Weapons
    Apr 16, 2013

    Temporary US restrictions on lethal fully autonomous weapons should be strengthened and made permanent.

  • Review of the 2012 US Policy on Autonomy in Weapons Systems
    Apr 15, 2013

    On November 21, 2012, the US Department of Defense issued its first public policy on autonomy in weapons systems. Directive Number 3000.09 (the Directive) lays out guidelines for the development and use of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems by the Department of Defense.

  • A Dangerous Future of Killer Robots
    Nov 22, 2012

    The use of drones to kill suspected terrorists is controversial, but so long as a human being decides whether to fire the missile, it is not a radical shift in how humanity wages war. Since the first archer fired the first arrow, warriors have been inventing ways to strike their enemies while removing themselves from harm’s way.

  • The Future of Global Warfare: Killer Robots
    Nov 20, 2012

    Despite a lack of public awareness and public debate a number of governments, including European states, are pushing forward with the development of fully autonomous weapons - also known as killer robots. These are weapon systems that will function without any human intervention.

     

  • The Trouble with Killer Robots
    Nov 19, 2012

    Imagine a mother who sees her children playing with toy guns as a military force approaches their village. Terrified, she sprints toward the scene, yelling at them to hurry home. A human soldier would recognize her fear and realize that her actions are harmless. A robot, unable to understand human intentions, would observe only figures, guns, and rapid movement. While the human soldier would probably hold fire, the robot might shoot the woman and her children.

  • Ban ‘Killer Robots’ Before It’s Too Late
    Nov 19, 2012

    Governments should pre-emptively ban fully autonomous weapons because of the danger they pose to civilians in armed conflict.