TECH WORKERS:THE WORLD
NEEDS YOU
Forget what you’ve seen in the movies – rapid advancements in computer vision, machine learning, computing power, robotics and artificial intelligence are eagerly sought out by militaries around the world to automate kill-decisions. The inherent dual use of most of these technologies and heavy investments in the field demand new international law to prohibit fully autonomous weapons before they are deployed.
Technology workers are concerned their work could be used in weapons systems that lack meaningful human control. The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots actively seeks out technology workers and companies as allies to achieve our common goal of a new treaty to prohibit fully autonomous weapons. The private sector will play a key role in preventing the development of these weapons.
Thousands of artificial intelligence experts, roboticists, scientists, and related professionals have co-signed various open letters since 2015 calling for a ban on fully autonomous weapons.
Tech workers at global companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon are pushing back on their research, products and platforms being adapted for use in warfare. Robotics companies such as Clearpath Robotics are actively working to prohibit killer robots.
Tesla’s Elon Musk, Google’s Demis Hassabis, and Apple’s Steve Wozniak, have endorsed a ban on fully autonomous weapons. Others have compared developments in AI to nuclear weapons, but thus far, have only called for weak regulation that will not address the legal and ethical implications of fully autonomous weapons.
What can the tech sector do?
A comprehensive ban is possible
More than 80 countries, including Israel, China, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, are actively participating in UN talks on how to handle the concerns raised by lethal autonomous weapons systems. After six years of discussion, additional pressure from the technology industry is needed to launch formal negotiations on an international treaty to prohibit fully autonomous weapons and thereby retain meaningful human control over the use of force.
Policymakers need the world’s brightest minds and researchers at the cutting-edge of AI breakthroughs to prevent harm from the use of AI in warfare and policing. Take a stand by endorsing the call to ban killer robots.
Join our community
With campaigners operating in more than 55 countries, you are not alone. We can provide you with the connections and resources necessary to make meaningful change—whether it’s within your organization, community, state or at the national and international level. Your level of involvement is entirely up to you—every contribution helps. Check out Ten Ways for Tech Workers to Get Involved or reach out to us directly.
Meet a few of our tech sector champions:
Liz O’Sullivan, ICRAC
lizjosullivan@gmail.com
@lizjosullivan
Laura Nolan, ICRAC
laura.nolan@gmail.com
@lauralifts @TWBIIreland
Prof. Noel Sharkey, ICRAC,
Tel. +44-7771-977-726
robot[@]blueyonder.co.uk
@stoptherobotwar @NoelSharkey @icracnet
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2019/08/08
Las Vegas, NV
Defcon 27 Ethics Village Presentation: “Is it ethical to work on autonomous weapons?”
http://ethicsvillage.org/
2019/10/21
New York City, NY
Mix & Mingle with Campaign members and tech allies
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mix-mingle-with-the-campaign-to-stop-killer-robots-tickets-71723834921