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posted by n1 on Thursday May 15 2014, @04:22AM   Printer-friendly
from the t800-confirmed-to-be-attending dept.

The U.N. has begun discussion on "lethal autonomous robots," killing machines which take the next step from our current drones which are operator controlled, to completely autonomous killing machines.

"Killer robots would threaten the most fundamental of rights and principles in international law," warned Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch.

Are we too far down the rabbit hole, or can we come to reasonable and humane limits on this new world of death-by-algorithm?

 
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  • (Score: 2) by tibman on Thursday May 15 2014, @06:09PM

    by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Thursday May 15 2014, @06:09PM (#43840)

    There is a big difference between landmines and robots/drones. Landmines are placed where they cannot be seen and continue to operate for decades or longer (long after they are needed). Landmines are dangerous to remove and usually are just blown up instead. A drone could just fly or drive home.

    You are right though, almost everyone has agreed that landmines are terrible and illegal. The US did not sign the treaty because they find landmines to be extremely effective. However they typically only have landmines with short expiration dates on them. Placed mines are temporary and self-destruct within days. Anti-vehicle mines can be permanent but i have never heard of their use lately. It's more than possible that the Korean DMZ is mined? But that is probably a perfect use of mines (until it is no longer needed).

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