Experts within the artificial intelligence community are urging for a ban on research concerning autonomous weapons systems.
In an open letter titled, Autonomous Weapons: an Open Letter from AI & Robotics Researchers individuals concerned with the future of artificial intelligence make their concerns clear.
More than 1,000 experts in the artificial intelligence community have signed the open letter. Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Steve Wozniak are among those experts.
In January 2015 founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, Elon Musk, donated $10 million to the Future of Life Institute to run a research program that aims to keep artificial intelligence beneficial to humanity. Musk claims the solution to weaponized robots is a ban on them similar to the ban on use of chemical weapons.
Potential for Increase in War
According to the letter, autonomous weapons “select and engage targets without human intervention.” Drones do not fall under the autonomous weapons category because humans are responsible for targeting decisions. Autonomous weapons would use pre-defined criteria to make targeting decisions.
While autonomous weapons systems have yet to be deployed, research indicates that it is only a matter of time before it becomes a feasible option.
The use of autonomous weapons systems has the potential to reduce casualties for the possessor. However, this would result in a lower threshold for initiating war and could cause an overall increase in war.
Global Arms Race
The letter states that the push for autonomous weapons could initiate a global arms race, which is why these experts are in support of this letter, to end it before it begins. “Starting a military AI arms race is a bad idea, and should be prevented by a ban on offensive autonomous weapons beyond meaningful human control.”
“It will only be a matter of time until they appear on the black market and in the hands of terrorists, dictators wishing to better control their populace, warlords wishing to perpetrate ethnic cleansing, etc. Autonomous weapons are ideal for tasks such as assassinations, destabilizing nations, subduing populations and selectively killing a particular ethnic group.”
Vulnerabilities in Automation
While automation has become a leading trend in the technology industry, it come with a set of vulnerabilities.
Earlier this year, a robot at a Volkswagen production factory killed a 22-year-old man in Baunatal, Germany. A VW spokesperson said that the robot grabbed the man and crushed him against a metal plate.
Last week two security researchers demonstrated their ability to hack into Jeep Cherokee and control its movements from a couch. They were able to control the vehicle’s entertainment system, speed, brakes etc.
MUSIO is a great intro to AI:
Leaders Urge Against Arming Artificial Intelligence
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