The Ethics of Robots in War

By Sgt. Maj. Ian M. Shaughnessey

Sergeants Major Academy

February 2, 2024

Introduction

• Integration of technology into daily life, including military applications.
• Robots can range from household items to defense systems.
• Robots are cheaper and can make precise decisions quickly, reducing human error and casualties.
• Importance of embracing robotic technology for future welfare and national security.

Main Concerns

• Ethical Questions:
  • Humanity of using robots as soldiers.
  • Are societies ready to shift from human soldiers to robotic ones?
• Ethical Arguments (Alan Wagner, 2017):
  • Reduced risk could lead to more wars.
  • Robots may not distinguish between combatants and civilians, risking higher civilian casualties.
• Counterpoints:
  • Robots reduce human battlefield casualties.
  • They follow orders without emotional bias.
  • Inevitable robot use in combat should focus on their influence on military operations.

Impact on the Army

• Key Areas of Consideration:
  • Cost: Training and maintaining human soldiers are expensive. Robots could be more economical long-term.
  • Recruiting Issues: Decline in eligible recruits. Robots could ease recruitment pressures and reduce behavioral health impacts.
  • Current Status:
    • Robots are already used in some military applications.
    • Future projects aim to increase their role, but leadership and budget are challenges.

Root Causes

• Challenges to Integration:
  • Fear of losing humanity.
  • Concerns about robots as potential WMDs.
  • Responsibility for mistakes made by robots.

Proposed Solutions

• Establish Global Rules:
  • Collaborate with NATO and allies to create guidelines for military robotics.
• U.S. AI Ethics Principles:
  • Ensure responsible, equitable, traceable, reliable, and governable AI system development and use.
• Setting an Example:
  • The U.S. should lead by example in ethical robotic usage and recruitment.

Ethical Analysis

• Three Ethical Lenses (Dr. Jack D. Kem, 2006):
  • Rules Lens: Existing rules help, but global consensus is needed.
  • Outcomes Lens: Robots could reduce human casualties and allow resource focus on domestic needs.
  • Virtues Lens: Maintaining moral standards among robot operators is crucial.

Conclusion

• Call to Action:
  • Need for immediate planning and execution in robot integration.
  • Embrace societal concerns and lead in ethical robotic development.
• Future Vision:
  • America should set the example for the ethical use of military robots, balancing technology advancement and ethical responsibility.

References

• Various sources cited discussing ethics, costs, technological advancements, and strategic considerations in military robotics.