By Vyjayanti Vasudevan
Photo by Don Jackson-Wyatt on Unsplash
As we move into the future, many are beginning to question whether technology will replace the role of humans in wielding weaponry. Defense systems have always played a significant role in national security, dating back to 2200 BCE when the Egyptians’ use of Ancient Naval Weapons helped guard the Nile and secure a steady source of seafood for the citizens (Binnie, 2021). However, efficient mechanized defense systems were implemented only after the Industrial Revolution. Despite the initial naive curiosity towards mass industrial production, manufacturing lethal weapons would lead to one of the deadliest wars in history: WW1. From grenades to tanks, nations have the world at their command in their production of artillery. In recent decades, with the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence, Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) are predicted to carve the way for future national security and military operations. However, modern weaponry may be more out of human influence with these LAWS.
LAWS are programmed military systems that can function autonomously with remote human control. The functioning of such systems is mainly dependent on communications and algorithms that filter through data from navigating systems, sensors, et cetera to achieve a certain goal like blocking a missile or bombing a target. Nations such as South Korea, as early as the 1990s, purchased air vehicles designed to defend and attack particular targets. The main concern with such systems today is their reliance on accurate data. Without the conscience and ability of humans to make complex decisions on-demand, algorithms feed off of data to be able to recognize patterns. Without adequate or unbiased data, LAWS can inflict deathly harm, resulting in questions regarding liability in cases of accidental deaths. The ability of such weapons to inflict mass destruction is faster than humans can respond.
The evolving abilities of LAWS can be observed in the Nagorno-Karabakh War during which semi-autonomous drones and air missiles utilized by Azerbaijan, as well as Israel’s unmanned Suicide drones, defeated Russian missiles. This ultimately secured Azerbaijan’s victory over Armenian forces in the war. This was only made possible because Azerbaijan’s access to better resources resulted in their superior weapons technology, increasing society’s emphasis on advancing the tech field. From surveillance drones to security processing by the Department of Defense, it’s clear that with such increasing dependence on technology comes an apparent power asymmetry that plays a decisive role in national security. Any altercations between USA and Taiwan or USA and China, given their reliance on the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, give Taiwan a military advantage. According to Noel Sharkey, a robotics professor at the University of Sheffield in England, nations ignorant of the regulations of LAWS have “a blinkered view that prevents them from considering the disturbing scenarios that can unfold when rivals catch up” (Scientific American, 2020). In other words, the impacts of such weapons are unstable and unpredictable regarding the future hierarchy of larger military powers. While Taiwan might remain the “underdog” in the power struggle with China, as nations become more reliant on their large semiconductor, cybersecurity, and software manufacturing capabilities, roles could reverse in the future.
Whether or not fully lethal automated weapons remain merely a figment of our imagination, neglecting their rapid development when creating future military regulations. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding LAWS, one thing remains clear—it’s of the essence that nations must decide now the path they want to take when it comes to addressing restrictions behind their production and utility in national security.
References
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Sharkey, N. (2023). Fully Autonomous Weapons Pose Unique Dangers to Humankind. Retrieved 27 January 2023, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fully-autonomous-weapons-pose-unique-dangers-to-humankind/
Christ, K. (2021). Swords and Shields: Autonomy, AI, and the Offense-Defense Balance - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Retrieved 27 January 2023, from https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2021/11/22/swords-and-shields-autonomy-ai-and-the-offense-defense-balance/
Shivakumar, S., & Wessner, C. (2022). Semiconductors and National Defense: What Are the Stakes?. Retrieved 28 January 2023, from https://www.csis.org/analysis/semiconductors-and-national-defense-what-are-stakes
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