LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS IN FUTURE CONFLICTS

The conversation on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) centers on the ethics of allowing a computer to decide to kill (or not to kill) a human-being. Much of the current discourse on the topic of autonomous weapons comes from a concern over the ethical implications. Over the coming fifteen years, the technology industry will achieve many milestones that will significantly alter the argument about the use of LAWS. There are currently efforts to institute laws and regulations that will inhibit or remove the use of LAWS. This research will clarify what will be technically possible in the future and take a holistic look at the topic. This study will explore the current technological abilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impacts on civil society. It will further look at AI and its impact on lethal weapons. Ad-ditionally, the study will explore the acceptance of AI in civil society verse the acceptance of AI in conflict. Such exploration is important as the newer technology may change the conversation about the ethics of employing robotics. This conversational change may encourage or even compel policymakers to use LAWS in future conflicts.