+34
‘We are now dangerously close to crossing a moral red line’
Mirjana Spoljaric of the International Committee of the Red Cross called for a legally binding instrument to regulate autonomous weapon systems. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images’ secretary general and the head of the Red Cross on Tuesday warned that autonomous weapons that can kill people without human involvement could soon be used in conflicts, and called for urgent negotiations to restrict their use.
“We are now dangerously close to crossing a moral red line: the autonomous targeting of humans by machines,” said UN secretary general António“Negotiations must begin now to urgently adopt a legally binding instrument to regulate autonomous weapon systems with clear prohibitions and restrictions,” they said. States meet in Geneva next week to discuss potential new rules amid mounting concerns over the role of AI-assisted semi-autonomous weapons that have been used in conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and in Iran and the Gulf.
The discussions, which began in 2014, have made some progress, but technology has also advanced. Fully autonomous weapons are already in use by some armies, such as anti-missile systems on warships, but for now they are not known to have been used against human targets. Human rights groups also worry that AI-driven systems cannot be adequately predicted or controlled, raising the risk of fatal errors such as a failure to recognise an injured or surrendering soldier.
And once such errors occur, it is harder to hold perpetrators to account in any future war crimes cases, they say.
“States must show political courage and move beyond incremental discussions towards decisive action,” the joint statement said, calling for those talks to begin in November when a big review conference that occurs only once every five years is planned in Geneva. “Some decisions must forever remain with the human being, none more than the decision of taking or not a human life,” Carolyne Mélanie Régimbal, chief of service at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, told a Geneva press briefing after the joint statement’s release.
While states agree international humanitarian law applies to lethal autonomous weapons systems, specifically binding international standards for such systems remain virtually non-existent. Russia and the United States, among others, have opposed new legally binding instruments, arguing existing laws are sufficient. The Geneva talks, which require consensus to lead to formal negotiations, are taking place within a challenging context of geopolitical tensions and recent European withdrawals from the landmine ban treaty, over Russian threats.
– ReutersTesco worker sacked for taking bakery items before they became ‘free to staff’ loses unfair dismissal claimLATEST STORIES
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brighton hammer Aston Villa and João Gomes red card adds to Unai Emery’s painBrighton were 4-0 just after the half-hour mark on a chastening day for last season’s Europa League winners
Read more »
Brennan Wins Stage Two of Vuelta a España While Pogačar Retains Red JerseyBritish cyclist Matthew Brennan won a decisive breakaway to take stage two of the Vuelta a España, but overall favorite Tadej Pogačar held onto the red leader's jersey in a 214.3-km day that included more than 3,000 metres of climbing. The stage saw a small group control the race, with Brennan gaining a three-second margin before Pogačar's team defended the overall lead.
Read more »
After the worlds were conquered: what the next 12 months look like for Kobe McDonaldWith a Celtic Cross now secured, the next chapter of his sporting career will involve a lot of hard work and not much limelight.
Read more »
Should We Walk Away from This Property Due to Leaks and Cracks?A couple is considering purchasing a property but has concerns about damage from an attic leak and noticeable cracks in the front room. They wonder if these are obvious red flags and whether they should walk away from the property.
Read more »