Autonomous Weapons Systems: Taking the Human Out of the Loop

Abstract

One of the most disturbing developments in the laws of war is the evolution of autonomous weapons systems AWS which decides on their own target on the basis of artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and big data to hit its target. At present there is no treaty of international that regulates AWS nor is there any hope of having one in the near future. Since the AWS takes humans out of the loop it poses serious challenges to international law, especially to the cardinal principles of international humanitarian law or IHL such as the principle of distinction. Since AWS is now shaping warfare, therefore, it is absolutely necessary to have it governed by binding rules of international law. It is recommended that some uses of AWS may be prohibited whereas others may be regularized.

Keywords: Autonomous weapons system, AWS, artificial intelligence, big data, facial recognition, killer robot, drone, international law, IHL, ICRC