New fear: bombs that can pick whom to kill

Ray

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New fear: bombs that can pick whom to kill



On a bright autumn day last year off the coast of Southern California, an Air Force B-1 bomber launched an experimental missile that may herald the future of warfare.

Initially, pilots aboard the plane directed the missile, but halfway to its destination, it severed communication with its operators. Alone, without human oversight, the missile decided which of three ships to attack, dropping to just above the sea surface and striking a 260-foot unmanned freighter.

Warfare is increasingly guided by software. Today, armed drones can be operated by remote pilots peering into video screens thousands of miles from the battlefield.

But now, some scientists say, arms makers have crossed into troubling territory: They are developing weapons that rely on artificial intelligence, not human instruction, to decide what to target and whom to kill.

As these weapons become smarter and nimbler, critics fear they will become increasingly difficult for humans to control - or to defend against. And while pinpoint accuracy could save civilian lives, critics fear weapons without human oversight could make war more likely, as easy as flipping a switch.

Britain, Israel and Norway are already deploying missiles and drones that carry out attacks against enemy radar, tanks or ships without direct human control. After launch, so-called autonomous weapons rely on artificial intelligence and sensors to select targets and to initiate an attack.

Britain's "fire and forget" Brimstone missiles, for example, can distinguish among tanks and cars and buses without human assistance, and can hunt targets in a predesignated region without oversight. The Brimstones also communicate with one another, sharing their targets.

Armaments with even more advanced self-governance are on the drawing board, although the details usually are kept secret.

"An autonomous weapons arms race is already taking place," said Steve Omohundro, a physicist and artificial intelligence specialist at Self-Aware Systems, a research centre in Palo Alto, California.

Concerned by the prospect of a robotics arms race, representatives from dozens of nations will meet tomorrow in Geneva to consider whether development of these weapons should be restricted by the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
New fear: bombs that can pick whom to kill
Warfare is getting remotely controlled.

While this will be a great boon, yet if there is no manual override, the results could be quite devastating if the button is held in the wrong or psychopathic hands.
 

jouni

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In a few years from now when you combine solar powered armed drones with artificial intelligence. You have the "world police" system. Just put those drones flying over the country you do not like... what scenario. My personal opinion is that US´s drone wars is the biggest crime against humanity after the holocaust. When you remove the danger for yourself, you are no longer a soldier, you are a butcher. I am still surprised how little people here care about those drones in Pakistan? After Pakistan, which country is next?
 

sorcerer

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Technology rules of human engagements of war.
In more complex rules relating to data centric warfare, its good to have such weapons, which could communicate among each other, vector in various factors and take out what they want. It frees the human element which is another valuable resource.
 

Razor

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There should always be a human in the loop.
If not, what would happen to accountability ?
 

Razor

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In a few years from now when you combine solar powered armed drones with artificial intelligence. You have the "world police" system. Just put those drones flying over the country you do not like... what scenario. My personal opinion is that US´s drone wars is the biggest crime against humanity after the holocaust. When you remove the danger for yourself, you are no longer a soldier, you are a butcher. I am still surprised how little people here care about those drones in Pakistan? After Pakistan, which country is next?
Of course its BS.
But it's America, this is how we bring democrazy.

Soon they will be using these drones to patrol cities, to keep an eye on people claiming that "we re protecting you from terrorists."
I agree with the butcher comment btw.
That's exactly what the US has become, to preserve its corporations and Mil-Ind-Complex
 

Illusive

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In a few years from now when you combine solar powered armed drones with artificial intelligence. You have the "world police" system. Just put those drones flying over the country you do not like... what scenario. My personal opinion is that US´s drone wars is the biggest crime against humanity after the holocaust. When you remove the danger for yourself, you are no longer a soldier, you are a butcher. I am still surprised how little people here care about those drones in Pakistan? After Pakistan, which country is next?
You think it was any different before, bombers and aircraft carrier fleets are used for policing the world also by US, its now just gone advanced like it should. Hollywood has demonized AI, doesn't mean AI is bad. Drones are used to send talibunnies to their grave, what more good can it do:usa:. After pak its IS thats getting the treatment. Its better than putting boots on the ground.
 

Ray

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In a few years from now when you combine solar powered armed drones with artificial intelligence. You have the "world police" system. Just put those drones flying over the country you do not like... what scenario. My personal opinion is that US´s drone wars is the biggest crime against humanity after the holocaust. When you remove the danger for yourself, you are no longer a soldier, you are a butcher. I am still surprised how little people here care about those drones in Pakistan? After Pakistan, which country is next?
Soldiering was never a pleasant job, especially in war, because those who don the uniform are not genetically structured psychopaths.

Yet someone has to ensure that the civilian population behind them are kept safe and so soldiers are directed to do the 'dirty work' for the civilians who want to have their good night sleep.

And the soldiers are ordered to war by civilians in Govt, politicians and bureaucrats alike. And by the fear crazed common civilian population. That is why Bush won his second term.

Therefore, who are the real Butchers? Think that out.

Drones are but a way to ensure that the citizens, this time in uniform of the Air Force, are not put in harm's way.

Is that a crime?

Yes, US Drones have created havoc in Pakistan, Yemen, Syria and many other places.

Why?

Because they do not want to have the very same people who they have targeted, targeting them. That's why.

Is that a crime?

Has humanity no right to remain safe from those who want to kill them? And is it a crime against humanity to kill those who want to kill them, before those who want to kill can be in a position to kill?

Think that over.

Armchair morality is a dangerous thing.

One has to be fair.
 
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jouni

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It looks like now technology is reaching the state, that sci-fi has been predicting for over a hundred years. In the coming years a lot of questions have to be answered regarding "automated warfare and policing". Maybe we should create robot politicians and robot voters to take the burden of conscience of our human shoulders. Or shoulders from those who still have it.
 

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