The Campaign To Stop Killer Robots

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.

FAQ

Would a ban on killer robots impact research and development of artificial intelligence?

A treaty banning killer robots would not stifle innovation, but rather help ensure that the research and development of artificial intelligence continues unhindered. Biologists have not found that the Biological Weapons Convention has hurt their research and developments, nor do chemists complain that the Chemical Weapons Convention has negatively impacted their work.

In fact, if the technology to develop fully autonomous weapons is permitted to develop without regulation, many artificial intelligence experts, roboticists, and technology workers fear that positive applications of artificial intelligence will suffer. Any malfunctions, mistakes or war crimes committed by fully autonomous weapons systems would receive negative publicity, resulting in public pushback on the trend to develop artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Does the Campaign demand that private companies not work with militaries?

The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots is a single-issue coalition focused on securing a treaty to ban fully autonomous weapons and retain meaningful human control over the use of force. Our coalition of non-governmental organizations often questions specific military projects that could pave the way towards fully autonomous weapons, but it does not ask or advocate for companies not to work with specific militaries or governments.

We advise technologists to consider the partnerships, customers, and investors they work with, and think critically about the consequential outcomes of any high-risk business relationships that they enter into.

Is the Campaign against artificial intelligence in warfare and policing?

Our Campaign is not anti-technology. It does not oppose military or policing applications of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in general. The Campaign seeks to prohibit the development and application of certain technologies, codify limits on their intended use, and ensure accountability under international law.

As a human-centered initiative, we believe a new international treaty banning killer robots would bring many benefits for humanity. New laws would help to clarify the role of human decision-making related to weapons and the use of force in warfare, policing and other circumstances.

If we don’t build fully autonomous weapons, won’t someone do so?

The current development of AI and emerging technologies is outpacing policymakers’ ability to regulate it. This is seen vividly in the case of fully autonomous weapons. Technology companies and workers must commit not to contribute to the development of fully autonomous weapons.

Many technologies under development are “dual-use” meaning they can be employed in various scenarios (civilian, military, policing, etc). Therefore, it is crucial that the tech sector remain vigilant and always consider the anticipated end-use.

What do killer robots have to do with gender and feminism?

Gender norms and patriarchal power structures affect the way we view, use, and engage with weapons, war, and violence. As a whole, applying a gender-lens and feminist approach to disarmament will result in stronger policy and better humanitarian protections, especially for women and marginalized groups.

Fully autonomous weapons could contribute to or exacerbate notions of militarized masculinity, be used to commit acts of gender-based violence or increase inequality as a result of algorithmic bias or target profiling. A treaty banning fully autonomous weapons would support feminist foreign policy goals by focusing on human security and preventing militarisation of emerging technology and technological advancements. Read more on gender and 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.

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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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News

December 11, 2019

Defending multilateralism in 2019

January 14, 2019

Rise of the tech workers

Events

2020/06/18

Online

A night of thought-provoking presentations on the military-industrial complex and the surveillance state, followed by some wonderful comedy. Featuring Campaign to Stop Killer Robots Coordinator Mary Wareham.

2020/03/07

Coventry University of Warwick, Main campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL United Kingdom

Warwick Technology and Peace Conference hosted by Pugwash and featuring Laura Nolan of ICRAC.

2019/12/14

Silicon Valley 505 East Charleston Road Palo Alto, CA 94306

Ethics in Tech: Comedy Roast #2 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-tech-comedy-roast-by-ethics-in-technology-tickets-76855590139

2019/12/13

San Francisco 2041 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94109

Ethics in Tech: Comedy Roast https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-tech-comedy-roast-by-ethics-in-technology-held-in-san-francisco-tickets-76858685397

2019/08/08

Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV

Defcon 27 Ethics Village Presentation: “Is it ethical to work on autonomous weapons?” http://ethicsvillage.org/

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TECH WORKERS:THE WORLD
NEEDS YOU

What can the tech sector do?

A comprehensive ban is possible

FAQ

Join our community

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Events

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TECH WORKERS:THE WORLDNEEDS YOU

What can the tech sector do?

A comprehensive ban is possible

FAQ

Join our community

News

Events

TECH WORKERS:THE WORLD
NEEDS YOU