Autonomous Weapon Systems
Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, Rüdiger Wolfrum, ed., Oxford University Press
9 Pages Posted: 30 May 2016 Last revised: 3 Jun 2016
Date Written: January 1, 2016
Abstract
This entry in the Encyclopedia of Public International Law explores the development toward and the international legal challenges posed by autonomous weapon systems (AWS).
The article covers questions concerning the use of force, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, as well as command responsibility. It also addresses the potential avenues for future international regulation of AWS, ranging from attempts to ban the technology to light forms of regulation.
Keywords: autonomous weapon system, AWS, lethal autonomous robots, LAR, killer robots, autonomy, international humanitarian law,IHL, law of armed conflict, LOAC, law of war, human rights, Article 36
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