Ethics of Robotics in Warfare

Aaron FinemanSteven Shidlovsky

Seth Pierson

Military Robots

Swords

Predator

Presentation Overview Fiction Asymmetric Warfare Human Impact Robot vs. Human Decision Overriding Orders Consent from Soldiers Operator Responsibility

Fiction Isaac Asimov's

Three Laws Terminator and

Matrix series Deformed views of

reality Makes it difficult to

gauge actual ethical ramification

Asymmetric Warfare War for the sake of

war World War II was the

last invasion caused by asymmetric warfare

No human toll – wars will only cost in equipment

Human Impact Morale Squad Cohesion Records all actions Winning the hearts and minds of the

defeated

Human vs. Robot DecisionArmy Marines

Injuring or killing an innocent noncombatant:

55% 40%

Stealing from a noncombatant: 50% 33%

Mistreating a noncombatant: 46% 32%

Not following general orders: 46% 35%

Violating rules of engagement: 47% 34%

Unnecessarily destroying private property:

43% 30%

Human vs. Robot Decision No emotions

› Allows robot to perform most ethical action Ability to gather more information

› Process incoming data faster than human Easier to use non-lethal force

Overriding Orders Robots need an ability to advise

against actions they were ordered› Not able to override, but advise against

and log events Military needs orders to be executed in

order to be effective

Consent from Soldiers First versions of robotics combat

systems will be buggy and unstable SWORD robotics weapon platform

malfunctioned putting US troops at risk South Africa autonomous turret killed 7

of its own

Operator Responsibility Robots will do as they are programmed Cannot go