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Weaponization

The document discusses the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in warfare, particularly regarding autonomous weapons systems that operate without human oversight, leading to accountability issues and potential violations of international humanitarian laws. It highlights the risks of collateral damage, loss of human morality in decision-making, and the possibility of an arms race due to AI-driven military technologies. Case studies of lethal autonomous weapons and military drones illustrate the real-world implications of these ethical dilemmas.

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nivethaamutha6
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2 views

Weaponization

The document discusses the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in warfare, particularly regarding autonomous weapons systems that operate without human oversight, leading to accountability issues and potential violations of international humanitarian laws. It highlights the risks of collateral damage, loss of human morality in decision-making, and the possibility of an arms race due to AI-driven military technologies. Case studies of lethal autonomous weapons and military drones illustrate the real-world implications of these ethical dilemmas.

Uploaded by

nivethaamutha6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The increasing use of AI in warfare and weaponiza on raises several ethical

concerns, as it involves the poten al for autonomous decision-making,


reduced human oversight, and unforeseen consequences.

1. Autonomous Weapons and Lack of Human Control:


 AI-powered autonomous weapons systems (AWS) can iden fy, select,
and engage targets without human interven on.
 This raises ethical concerns about accountability, as no human directly
makes the decision to kill.
 Risk of malfunc ons or biases in AI could lead to unintended civilian
casual es.
 Example: Lethal autonomous drones used in conflict zones may
mistakenly target innocent civilians.

2. Viola on of Interna onal Humanitarian Laws:


 AI-driven weapons could violate the principles of propor onality and
dis nc on in warfare.
 AI may fail to differen ate between combatants and civilians, leading to
collateral damage.
 Example: AI-powered surveillance systems may wrongfully classify
civilians as threats.

3. Loss of Human Morality in Decision-Making:


 AI lacks human emo ons and moral reasoning, making it incapable of
empathy or compassion.
 The removal of human oversight from life-and-death decisions raises
ethical concerns about the dehumaniza on of warfare.
 Example: AI-controlled military robots could execute lethal ac ons
without moral considera on.

4. Cyber Warfare and Misinforma on:


 AI is used in cybera acks, disinforma on campaigns, and hacking.
 It can manipulate public opinion or disrupt essen al services, posing
ethical and security threats.
 Example: AI-generated deepfakes used for poli cal propaganda.

5. Accountability and Responsibility:


 AI systems opera ng in warfare create accountability challenges.
 It becomes difficult to determine who is responsible for wrongful deaths
or war crimes—the programmer, the military, or the AI itself.
 Example: Autonomous drones accidentally targe ng civilians raise legal
and ethical accountability issues.

6. Arms Race and Global Instability:


 The development of AI-based weapons by major powers may trigger a
global arms race, destabilizing world peace.
 Unregulated AI warfare could lead to escalated conflicts.
 Example: Countries inves ng in AI-powered nuclear missile systems,
increasing the risk of automated retalia on.

1. Case Study: Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs) – The Use of AI-Powered


Drones in Libya
 Event: In March 2020, a Turkish-made Kargu-2 drone was used in Libya
during the civil war.
 Technology: The drone, equipped with AI algorithms, was reportedly
used in autonomous a ack mode.
 Impact:
o The drone iden fied and engaged targets without direct human
interven on.
o It targeted retrea ng soldiers, raising ethical concerns about
autonomous warfare.
o The incident highlighted the lack of regula on for autonomous
weapons.
 Ethical Issues:
o No human oversight during the a ack.
o The poten al for indiscriminate targe ng.
o Concerns about interna onal humanitarian law viola ons.

4. Case Study: AI in Autonomous Military Vehicles – Israel’s Harpy Drone


 Organiza on: The Harpy drone, developed by Israel Aerospace
Industries, is an AI-powered loitering muni on.
 Technology:
o It uses AI algorithms to detect and destroy radar signals.
o The drone operates in a "fire-and-forget" mode, autonomously
iden fying and a acking targets.
 Impact:
o Increased precision in military strikes.
o Enhanced defense capabili es.
 Ethical Concerns:
o Lack of human control once launched.
o Poten al for collateral damage.
o Difficul es in accountability for unintended a acks.

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