UN: ban on autonomous combat robots fails because of major powers

Worldwide, research into the latest military technology is in full swing. The progress in development in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics technology enables partly abstruse weapons that are reminiscent of science fiction movies. The UN wanted to put a stop to this global trend and planned a renewal of the weapons convention, which would also ban autonomous combat robots. However, some countries objected.

Military technology is a state secret

If you take a look at the military technology currently in use, you can’t help but be amazed in some cases. For example, hardly any human soldiers are sent into action anymore. Instead, more and more remote-controlled weapons such as drones are being used. Despite their remote control, however, it is still humans who decide whether or not to shoot them down. But what will the whole thing look like in the future? Hardly anything is protected by a state as much as developments around the topic of military technology. For this reason, one can assume that at least the major powers are already working on far more impressive technology in their research facilities. Robots, in particular, play a major role in this.

Can robots decide on the battlefield?

Bring autonomous robots into the picture, however, and remote-controlled drones seem almost laughable. After all, these AI-controlled companions have long since ceased to be able to run their circles around our homes merely as vacuum cleaners. In the meantime, robots are also quite conceivable on the battlefields. The whole thing takes on an insipid aftertaste when the mobile and armed machines are also allowed to make autonomous decisions about their actions. The UN also has its concerns in this regard. Accordingly, the alliance of states tried to initiate an international ban on such war machines. This attempt has now failed miserably.

“Stop Killer Robots”

The slogan launched in connection with the weapons convention that was initiated speaks volumes in this regard. “Stop Killer Robots” was the slogan on the part of many UN members who would have been happy to see the UN Weapons Convention adapted. However, four countries – Russia, Israel, India and the USA – opposed the arms convention. This has now been reported by the Reuters news agency. It is more than understandable that autonomous robots should by no means be used on battlefields. Critics argue that such machines are more likely to inflict civilian casualties than human soldiers. They also argue that the risk of escalation is much higher if the scepter is handed over to autonomous robots. With the autonomy of the machines we would be at another point, which would turn out to be a big problem. Namely, if an attack by a machine occurs, complicated accountability issues arise.

Long-standing talks to no avail

It’s not as if the UN is only now considering the use of autonomous combat robots. Quite the contrary. Talks among member states have now been going on for eight years. Unfortunately, they must now end without success. While the states were still discussing a ban on modern weapons of war, they are presumably already being used in war zones. A UN report, for example, reveals that autonomous drones, not remote-controlled ones, were used in the Libyan war as early as March last year. The drone’s target was the militias of a notable warlord.

Modern technology to replace ground troops

Incidentally, the pioneer among autonomous combat robots was manufactured in Turkey. The drone’s AI-powered system, dubbed “Kargu-2,” is said to be based on cutting-edge technology. In particular, the built-in software is supposed to enable promising facial scans. This should not only make it possible to dispense with ground troops. On top of that, individuals can be eliminated in a targeted manner. The fact that these autonomous drones can also be used in a swarm sounds worrying. It’s hard to imagine what would happen if one of them were to pick up speed.