Write a thesis title about human protection from Autonomous Weapon Systems in international law
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Thesis Title: "Human Protection from Autonomous Weapon Systems: Analyzing International Law and Ethical Imperatives"
Introduction to Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) and International Law
Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) represent a significant advancement in military technology, capable of selecting and engaging targets without human intervention. This development raises critical questions about compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and the ethical implications of delegating lethal decision-making to machines1 4 6.
Ethical and Legal Challenges of AWS
Human Dignity and Moral Agency
A central argument against AWS is their potential to erode human dignity by removing human judgment from life-and-death decisions. Human dignity, understood as moral agency, is a fundamental principle that machines cannot replicate, as they lack the ability to make nuanced moral judgments1 3 9. This perspective emphasizes that only humans should make such critical decisions to preserve moral and ethical standards in warfare1 3.
Compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
AWS pose significant challenges to the core principles of IHL, including distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. These principles require human judgment to ensure that combatants and civilians are appropriately distinguished and that the use of force is proportionate to the military advantage gained2 4 10. The inability of AWS to fully comply with these principles raises concerns about their legality under current international law frameworks4 10.
Human Rights and Autonomous Weapons
Positive Human Rights Obligations
States have positive human rights obligations to protect individuals during law enforcement and armed conflict. This includes ensuring that the right to life and due process are upheld, which implies that lethal force should not be delegated to machines without meaningful human control5 8. The use of AWS in law enforcement and military operations could violate these obligations, necessitating a re-evaluation of their deployment5 8.
Dehumanization and Accountability
The increasing autonomy of weapon systems complicates the assignment of responsibility for their actions. This dehumanization of warfare can lead to accountability gaps, where it becomes challenging to hold individuals or states responsible for the actions of autonomous machines6 9. Ensuring accountability is crucial for maintaining the rule of law and protecting human rights in conflict situations6 9.
The Call for an International Ban on AWS
Establishing a Normative Framework
There is a growing call for an international ban on AWS based on ethical, legal, and humanitarian grounds. Advocates argue that a treaty should be established to prohibit the use of fully autonomous weapons, ensuring that human judgment remains central to the use of lethal force2 3 7. This normative framework would help prevent the proliferation of AWS and mitigate the risks they pose to human rights and international stability2 3 7.
Strategic and Ethical Considerations
The debate on AWS also includes strategic concerns such as the potential for arms races and the escalation of conflicts. Ethical considerations highlight the risk of further dehumanizing warfare and increasing its propensity and cruelty if machines incapable of empathy are used3 9. These factors underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to regulating AWS, balancing technological advancements with ethical imperatives3 9.
Conclusion
The integration of AWS into military and law enforcement operations presents profound ethical and legal challenges. Ensuring human protection from these systems requires a robust international legal framework that prioritizes human dignity, accountability, and compliance with IHL. Establishing an international ban on fully autonomous weapons, grounded in human rights and humanitarian principles, is essential to safeguard human rights and maintain ethical standards in warfare.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Fighting Machines: Autonomous Weapons and Human Dignity, Dan Saxon (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2022), 264 pp., cloth $75, eBook $75.
International law, it is a fundamental principle that should guide the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems to preserve moral agency and human dignity.
On banning autonomous weapon systems: human rights, automation, and the dehumanization of lethal decision-making
An international ban on autonomous weapon systems is justified by human rights and humanitarian principles, ensuring that lethal decisions are made by humans and not machines.
Highly CitedProhibiting Autonomous Weapons: Put Human Dignity First
The strongest argument for a ban on autonomous weapons systems is the principle of distinction, but technological progress may render this argument obsolete and may undermine the principle of human dignity.
AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
Autonomous weapons systems can generally comply with international humanitarian law, but require discussion, acceptance, and institutionalization of their classification and responsibility allocation.
What Do Human Rights Really Say About the Use of Autonomous Weapons Systems for Law Enforcement Purposes?
Human rights law clarifies that the only acceptable definition of autonomy in weapons systems for law enforcement purposes requires meaningful human control, suggesting a ban on fully autonomous machines is desirable.
Autonomous Weapons and Human Responsibilities
Autonomous weapons pose legal, ethical, and societal challenges, with human judgment being crucial for assigning accountability and addressing legal concerns.
POSITIVE HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATION OF STATES AND THE USE OF AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS DURING LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
Autonomous weapon systems in law enforcement operations may violate human rights, particularly the right to life, as they cannot comply with existing case law on the right to life.
Autonomous weapons systems, killer robots and human dignity
Autonomous weapons systems may be against human dignity, but other technologies and weapons also do, so it is wiser to draw on multiple objections rather than solely relying on human dignity.
The Compliance Of Autonomous Weapons To International Humanitarian Law: Question Of Law And Question Of Fact
Autonomous weapons do not fully comply with International Humanitarian Law, particularly a fully autonomous weapon, due to their limited human control and AI engagement.
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