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South Korean university boycotted over 'killer robots'
Leading AI experts have boycotted a South Korean university over a partnership with weapons manufacturer Hanwha Systems. More than 50 AI researchers from 30 countries signed a letter expressing concern about its plans to develop artificial intelligence for weapons. In response, the university said it would not be developing "autonomous lethal weapons". The boycott comes ahead of a UN meeting to discuss killer robots.
Shin Sung-chul, president of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist), said: "I reaffirm once again that Kaist will not conduct any research activities counter to human dignity including autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control. Kaist is significantly aware of ethical concerns in the application of all technologies including artificial intelligence." He went on to explain that the university's project was centred on developing algorithms for "efficient logistical systems, unmanned navigation and aviation training systems".
Also at The Guardian and CNN.
Related: U.N. Starts Discussion on Lethal Autonomous Robots
UK Opposes "Killer Robot" Ban
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Friday April 06 2018, @04:19PM (3 children)
As in, you're not worth even thinking about, because we have our autonomous robot army "taking care of" the problem. So, yeah, there's a difference.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 3, Insightful) by acid andy on Friday April 06 2018, @04:23PM (2 children)
You're right, but death's the great leveler. In the end, for the one that dies, it won't much matter who or what initiated the act. In some cases they won't know anyway. If human operators are hidden in secret remote bases, how does one know if they even exist?
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 06 2018, @07:15PM (1 child)
The point is many a government have been toppled by their own army deciding to not follow a direct order to fire on unarmed citizens. A robot on the other hand will do as ordered and mow down people as long as it has ammunitions.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Friday April 06 2018, @08:10PM
I guess I was too subtle. I wasn't supporting the robots. I was questioning the implication in the quote that there's any dignity in being murdered by a human.
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?