Essay Sample on Autonomous Weapons Ban

Introduction

In the recent past, there has been increased concerns about the development of autonomous weapons and the role of AI in this development. As such, AI researchers came up with the article addressing this concerns and released a fictitious video that predicts a future where autonomous weapons have developed into ubiquitous and cheap killing machines (Cussin 1). The video was launched during a UN summit in Geneva under the title United Nations Convention on Conventional Weapons. The event was hosted by the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, which is an organization that aims that pushing for the ban of fully autonomous weapons with the backing of close to 26 countries, 86 Non-governmental organizations, the European Parliament and the Human Rights Council rapporteurs (stopkillerrobots.org).

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The video begins with a presentation of the effectiveness and the precision of autonomous robots in killing their targets. The video depicts a future where autonomous gadgets will be controlled by AI as well as the selection of targets using features such as facial recognition. The presenter argues that human beings tend to use emotions and in some case make mistakes. However, AI is precise and will take down any 'bad' guy with accuracy and precision. The video also predicts a time when there will be mass production of these robots capable of selectively wiping out cities or large groups of people. Unfortunately, this technology lands on the wrong hands and in the process, there is a mass killing of people in government as well as students in school. At the end of the video, Russell - an AI researcher - warns that the technology shown in the video is in existence and there is a need for action before the window closes.

The article continues to indicate a rise in the number of people advocating for the ban. Back in 2017, more than 200 Canadian scientists and another 100 Austrian scientists penned open letters to Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging both of them to support the ban. Similar letters had been signed by over 130 leaders of AI companies. This shows the extent of the concerns raised regarding autonomous weapons (Cussin 4)

My Opinion and Reflection

Over the last couple of years, drone technology has become autonomous, and at this rate, I fear that they might soon become fully autonomous and as indicated in the article increase modern warfare. The developments and modifications being made to these autonomous weapons will make them affordable, and therefore, lowering the standards of armed conflict. In the near future, it will be more accessible and less expensive to take human life anonymously. In addition, terrorists will be highly empowered with the help of this new technology, and eventually, there will be global instability. Researchers have warned also warned against the loss of innocent lives which might occur if autonomous robots and drones are developed.

Previously, countries such as the United States have used man-controlled drones to carry out attacks on their enemies. However, removing the human aspect from the equation will be a breach to international human rights laws. Because of this reason, I fully support the ban on Autonomous Killing Robots. These weapons will be used to do more harm than good, and therefore, they should not be developed in the first place. There is a need for action, and the action should take place now before the window closes.

Works Cited

"Killer Robots". Stopkillerrobots.Org, 2018, https://www.stopkillerrobots.org/. Accessed 5 Dec 2018.

Cussins, Jessica. "AI Researchers Create Video To Call For Autonomous Weapons Ban At UN - Future Of Life Institute". Future Of Life Institute, 2017, https://futureoflife.org/2017/11/14/ai-researchers-create-video-call-autonomous-weapons-ban-un/?cn-reloaded=1. Accessed 5 Dec 2018.