Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

alp227

(31,943 posts)
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 02:09 PM Nov 2012

'Killer robots' should be banned, say human rights groups

Source: guardian

The use of autonomous drones – "killer robots" that could fire weapons with no human control – must be prohibited by international treaty, human rights campaigners and lawyers have said.

Weapons being developed that could choose and attack targets without human intervention should be pre-emptively banned because of the danger they would pose to civilians in armed conflict, they said.

Losing Humanity: The Case Against Killer Robots, a 50-page report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), warns that fully autonomous weapons would lack human qualities that provide legal and non-legal checks on the killing of civilians.

"Giving machines the power to decide who lives and dies on the battlefield would take technology too far," said Steve Goose, the HRW arms division director. "Human control of robotic warfare is essential to minimising civilian deaths and injuries."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/nov/19/killer-robots-banned-human-rights

28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'Killer robots' should be banned, say human rights groups (Original Post) alp227 Nov 2012 OP
Killer robots; what could possibly go wrong? OnyxCollie Nov 2012 #1
INORITE! MynameisBlarney Nov 2012 #2
Yes, nothing wrong here sakabatou Nov 2012 #10
You're being too judgmental AldoLeopold Nov 2012 #17
You're overlooking new opportunities. OnyxCollie Nov 2012 #25
Let Sarah Connor 'splain it to you. TalkingDog Nov 2012 #22
Wonder if all those dead women and children in the ME dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #3
Before we field the technology for autonomous killer drones, there should be treaties to ban them... Agnosticsherbet Nov 2012 #4
The Robots' Spokesbot's response: Liberalagogo Nov 2012 #5
Bender is one of my favorite characters lalalu Nov 2012 #8
John DiMaggio also plays these two sakabatou Nov 2012 #12
I'd love to know if these weapons developers kentauros Nov 2012 #6
I for one welcome our new, robotic overlords. n/t Ian David Nov 2012 #7
The election is over, and this continued focus on Mi$$ RobMe seems unhealthy. n/t jtuck004 Nov 2012 #9
What about the threee laws? hollysmom Nov 2012 #11
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH HELL NAW!' AsahinaKimi Nov 2012 #13
Hail Megatron! Adenoid_Hynkel Nov 2012 #14
Energon Independence by 2027 AldoLeopold Nov 2012 #18
You'd lose the Star Scream vote sakabatou Nov 2012 #19
Starscream would totally go third party Adenoid_Hynkel Nov 2012 #27
Starscream would run as a Decepticon Independent. nt OnyxCollie Nov 2012 #28
But, if we just put them in charge of nuclear arsenals wouldn't there be more time to play golf? leveymg Nov 2012 #15
It's a wonder that such a statement even needs to be said. Uncle Joe Nov 2012 #16
Everybody learn to say, "Klaatu barada nikto." longship Nov 2012 #20
Too bad I cant go back in time and show people the title of this article. bloomington-lib Nov 2012 #21
mitt romney was unavailable for comment. nt Javaman Nov 2012 #23
I'd love to see them banned. I'd love to see all weapons banned LanternWaste Nov 2012 #24
Can you hear one trying to defend itself on the witness stand?? "Well, ya see, this guy looked 2on2u Nov 2012 #26
 

AldoLeopold

(617 posts)
17. You're being too judgmental
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 03:02 PM
Nov 2012

They're just out hunting humans and will be going back to the lodge for a cold one and human steaks. Good for the gears you know?

Frankly, human population numbers have grown out of control lately and "some" hunting should occur on a permitted basis. Otherwise, you have humans in your yard eating your rose bushes and watching your TV.

 

OnyxCollie

(9,958 posts)
25. You're overlooking new opportunities.
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 06:10 PM
Nov 2012

Humans could be employed (kept alive) to polish titanium skulls and remove bits of organic matter (blood, skin, brains) from hard-to-reach crevices.

I, for one, welcome our new robotic Job Creators.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
3. Wonder if all those dead women and children in the ME
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 02:19 PM
Nov 2012

think that human controlled drone blasts are a good way to " minimize civilian deaths".

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
4. Before we field the technology for autonomous killer drones, there should be treaties to ban them...
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 02:23 PM
Nov 2012

We should also consider banning the current generation of drones that are flown by humans in comfortable air-conditioned trailers thousands of miles away.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
6. I'd love to know if these weapons developers
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 02:25 PM
Nov 2012

ever go to the movies? Or, if they do, is it with notebook in hand to take notes?

 

AldoLeopold

(617 posts)
18. Energon Independence by 2027
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 03:12 PM
Nov 2012

Though I appreciate Megatron's strong stance on intergalactic defense and his insistence on energon independence, my family has always voted Autobot and will continue to do so.

Optimus/Bumblebee 2016!

 

Adenoid_Hynkel

(14,093 posts)
27. Starscream would totally go third party
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 07:21 PM
Nov 2012

to serve as a spoiler out of spite, after his primary challenge for the Decepticon nomination failed.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
24. I'd love to see them banned. I'd love to see all weapons banned
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 05:47 PM
Nov 2012

I'd love to see them banned. I'd love to see all weapons banned, but too many people enjoy them, and the profits from their manufacture, distribution, sale and use.

 

2on2u

(1,843 posts)
26. Can you hear one trying to defend itself on the witness stand?? "Well, ya see, this guy looked
Mon Nov 19, 2012, 06:36 PM
Nov 2012

just like the guy I had to kill last week, two arms, two legs, the whole enchilada....."

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»'Killer robots' should be...