National Defence University–Kenya (NDU-K), today hosted Prof. Thomas Simpson, of Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University, at National Defence College (NDC), a College of NDU-K. Prof Simpson delivered a lecture on Impact of Autonomous Weapons in an Era of Geopolitical Competition.
In an era of rapid technological advancements, the development and deployment of autonomous weapons, colloquially known as "killer robots," have become a topic of significant concern.
To address the ethical implications of this growing phenomenon, Prof. Thomas, in his lecture elucidated the intricacies and potential dangers associated with such technologies.
During the lecture, Prof. Simpson, highlighted the dual nature of autonomous weapons systems, acknowledging its potential benefits, including minimizing military casualties.
He cautioned against the ethical dilemmas that such technological advancements present, including; loss of human control, indiscriminate targeting, and accountability for collateral damage.
He said that regardless of the degree of automation, the decision to take human lives should always rest with human operators, noting that the ability to exercise moral judgment, empathy, and accountability are essential aspects of warfare that must not be relinquished to machines.
He stressed on the need for international regulation and treaties that define clear boundaries for the use and deployment of such technologies.
He reiterated the importance of incorporating legal frameworks to ensure ethical decision-making, holding individuals accountable for the actions of autonomous systems, and establishing mechanisms to assess responsibility for any unintended consequences.
Prof. Thomas, raised concerns regarding the impact on soldiers and civilians, questioning the psychological effects of relying on machines to make life-and-death decisions, emphasizing on how to distribute responsibility for technologies and also when the mistakes are acceptable.
The lecture provided an opportunity for the course participants to engage in a value adding Q&A session.