AI-Powered Weaponry – Contested Technology

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With technology developing so fast – whether in the smart speaker in your home or the weapons used by the military – many experts are worried that we’re going to develop something we can’t control sooner rather than later. Artificial Intelligence community is divided over the limits of robotic technology. More than 50 of the world’s leading AI experts are completely boycotting contact with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), over the development of AI-powered weaponry. Their potential development of killing machines is the cause for the protest.
KAIST, one of the world’s leading robotic and science labs, has signed an agreement with arms company Hanwha Systems, already known to be developing devastating weapons known as cluster munitions, in contravention of a UN ban on these type of wide-reaching explosive devices. With added AI, these devices could be even more lethal, according to sciencealert.com.
In an open letter, the AI researchers write that they will boycott all collaborations with any part of KAIST until assurances are provided that the Center will not develop autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control. “If developed, autonomous weapons will be the third revolution in warfare,” continues the open letter, signed by researchers from 30 different countries. “They will permit war to be fought faster and at a scale greater than ever before.”
KAIST statement said the institute will not conduct any research activities counter to human dignity, “including autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control.”
One of the problems is that individual countries are keen to develop this sort of tech for their own military ends, while private companies don’t want to be shackled with regulations when it comes to developing their own AI models.
Many scientists now want to see guidelines put down about how AI can be developed and deployed.