Artificial Intelligence 2

Artificial Intelligence in Lethal Conflict

Drone strikes have been carried out since the turn of the 21^st century, mostly by the US military, in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. The drones are not manned, but have a ‘controller’ and a system of communications. But, even with a controller, there has been a consistent civilian casualty rate of between 7% and 15%. And without a controller…?

In the UK, there are no plans to regulate the AI tech of ‘manless drones’, and, most chillingly, “The country is considering scrapping a rule that prohibits automated decision-making without human oversight, arguing that it stifles innovation.”

In question time, after the Stuart Russell lecture, it was revealed that employees of the MoD engaged in the arms industry which includes AI weapons numbering more than 4,000 in the UK.

For more articles on Stuart Russell’s Reith lectures, see Artificial Intelligence: What Does It Mean for Our Future.

My other articles for Kent Bylines include one on Covert Human Intelligence Services Act, and an analysis of Freeports.