U.S. Joins Call for Limits on Lethal Autonomous Weapons

n a joint statement on Oct. 22, a diverse, cross-regional group of UN member states led by Austria and including the United States expressed concern about "new technological applications, such as those related to autonomy in weapons systems." The statement also emphasized "the necessi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArms control today Vol. 52; no. 9; p. 31
Main Author KIMBALL, DARYL G.
Format Magazine Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington Arms Control Association 01.11.2022
Subjects
Drone aircraft
Innovations
International law
Military aspects
News and Analysis
Smart weapons
Vehicles, Remotely piloted
United States
Switzerland
Austria
United States > US
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Summary:n a joint statement on Oct. 22, a diverse, cross-regional group of UN member states led by Austria and including the United States expressed concern about "new technological applications, such as those related to autonomy in weapons systems." The statement also emphasized "the necessity for human beings to exert appropriate control, judgment, and involvement...to ensure any use of force is in compliance with international law, particularly international humanitarian law, and that humans remain accountable for decisions on the use of force." It was delivered by Alexander Kmentt, the Austrian director for disarmament, arms control, and nonproliferation, on behalf of 70 UN delegations. Several major powers are developing and, in some cases, fielding various types of autonomous combat systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, surface vessels, and undersea vessels. Many of these weapons utilize artificial intelligence to improve capabilities to identify, track, and attack enemy targets.
ISSN:0196-125X
1943-5754