Killer Robots

Killer Robots

Fully autonomous weapons, also known as "killer robots," would be able to select and engage targets without human intervention. Precursors to these weapons, such as armed drones, are being developed and deployed by nations including China, Israel, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is questionable that fully autonomous weapons would be capable of meeting international humanitarian law standards, including the rules of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, while they would threaten the fundamental right to life and principle of human dignity. Human Rights Watch calls for a preemptive ban on the development, production, and use of fully autonomous weapons.

Human Rights Watch is a founding member and serves as global coordinator of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.

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.

Killer Robots: Why The World Should Ban Autonomous Weapons Systems

Nov 28, 2014
UN: ‘Killer Robot’ Talks Go Forward, Slowly

Nov 14, 2014
Killer Robots: Keeping Control of Autonomous Weapons

Aug 21, 2014
The Human Rights Implications of "Killer Robots"

Jun 10, 2014

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Shaking the Foundations

The Human Rights Implications of Killer Robots
Losing Humanity

The Case against Killer Robots

Killer Robots

Remarks to the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence On Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons

Jan 29, 2015
Killer Robots: Why The World Should Ban Autonomous Weapons Systems

Nov 28, 2014

Nations around the world agreed in November to continue deliberations on “lethal autonomous weapons systems” – that is, weapons systems that would be able to select their targets and use force without any further human intervention.
UN: ‘Killer Robot’ Talks Go Forward, Slowly

Nov 14, 2014

Countries at an international conference on conventional weapons agreed on November 14, 2014, to further discuss concerns raised about fully autonomous weapons, or “killer robots,” Human Rights Watch said today. However, greater urgency is needed to address the threat these weapons pose.
Statement to the Conventionl on Certain Conventional Weapons Annual Meeting of States Parties, Geneva – General Exchange of Views

Nov 13, 2014
Killer Robots: Keeping Control of Autonomous Weapons

Aug 21, 2014

This month marks 100 years since the beginning of World War One. For many working to advance humanitarian disarmament, it is a time to reflect on the changing nature of warfare over the past century and consider whether the dire situation faced by civilian victims of warfare is likely to get any better in the future. How will civilians be affected by the introduction of increasingly autonomous military technologies that place human soldiers ever further away from the field of operation and perhaps one day remove them altogether?
The Human Rights Implications of "Killer Robots"

Jun 10, 2014

Fully autonomous weapons, which could select and fire on targets without meaningful human intervention, have the potential to revolutionize the nature of warfare, bringing greater speed and reach to military operations. In the process, though, this emerging technology could endanger both civilians and soldiers.
Guest Post: Taking on “Killer Robots”

May 23, 2014

New weapons that could revolutionize killing are on the horizon. Lethal autonomous weapons systems, also called fully autonomous weapons or “killer robots,” would go beyond today’s armed drones. They would be able to select and fire on targets without meaningful human intervention. In other words, they could determine themselves when to take a human life.
UN: ‘Killer Robots’ on the Run

May 16, 2014

Governments are increasingly recognizing the potential dangers posed by fully autonomous weapons, or “killer robots,” Human Rights Watch said today. The first multilateral meeting on the weapon systems concluded on May 16, 2014, at the United Nations in Geneva.
Statement to the Convention on Conventional Weapons Informal Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems - Other Areas of International Law

May 14, 2014

This session raises two areas of great concern to Human Rights Watch: the accountability gap created by fully autonomous weapons and the human rights implications of the weapons.
Statement to the Convention on Conventional Weapons Informal Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems - International Humanitarian Law

May 14, 2014

Human Rights Watch appreciates the discussions we have had yesterday and today on the international humanitarian law implications of lethal autonomous weapons systems. With all due respect, however, we want it to be clear that there are legal experts with different points of view than those on the panel. We see the weapons’ inability to comply with existing law as a major problem and the possibility of adopting new law as the best solution.

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