Autonomous weapons: the risks of the advance of ‘killer robots’

There are increasingly sophisticated arsenals, as well as wars that serve as an excuse to use them. A dangerous combination when the advancement of technology and artificial intelligence (IA) is promoting the accelerated development of autonomous weaponsthose that select and attack their targets without the need for direct human intervention. They are called “killer robots” and they have long ceased to belong to the world of science fiction.

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Hinge moment

The ICRC explains that both armies and software developers armas are interested in integrating the autonomous use of force into a greater variety of armasplatforms and ammunition. This means that this technology can be implemented in tanks and warships, fighter planes and drones. armed.

Gisela Luján Andrade, director and founder of Peru for Disarmament and member of Stop Killer Robots, highlights that the discussion about armas autonomous organizations – which was institutionalized in the UN in 2014 – is no longer preventive in nature. “Although it is very difficult to find concrete evidence that there are armas totally autonomous being used in conflicts, there are reports and evidence about the use of autonomous weapons,” he tells El Comercio.

The concern is greater because of the AI ​​factor. Although the systems armas Autonomous companies do not necessarily have to use artificial intelligenceAI is already enhancing this type of armas.

“There are several problems under discussion. The first is the possibility that this type of armas. The second is the difficulty in identifying or determining the degrees of autonomy they have, and also that the advance of the artificial intelligence It can accelerate the development process of these systems without there being clear regulation that determines responsibilities. I believe that the latter is the biggest problem, because you cannot hold a machine responsible for a war crime,” says Luján.