Artificial intelligence and defense

07 May Artificial intelligence and defense

THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF “Artificial intelligence and defense ”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.

Context

The surge in AI development has increased  significant investment in military research and development, particularly in Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). This has ignited a pressing worldwide dialogue surrounding the ethical dilemmas that accompany such advancements.

More about the news

The emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked a surge in interest regarding its potential applications, leading nations to heavily invest in AI Research and Development (R&D), particularly within the military sector. 

However, a concerning outcome of this trend is the notable progress in the development of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). Although fully autonomous weapons have yet to materialize, ongoing advancements in AI for military purposes suggest their realization may be imminent. 

This raises ethical questions and underscores the necessity for thorough debate before any concrete steps are taken towards their deployment. Despite the urgency, the growing strides by countries such as the United States (US) and China in this arena emphasize the pressing need for prompt action.

Ethical questions related to Autonomous warfare systems

1. Autonomous Decision Making: With the development of AI-powered autonomous systems, there’s a concern about the delegation of life-and-death decisions to machines without direct human oversight. This raises questions about accountability, responsibility, and the potential for unintended consequences or errors.
2. Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS): The development and deployment of LAWS, which can identify, target, and attack without human intervention, raise profound moral questions about the nature of warfare, the principles of proportionality and discrimination, and the risk of escalation and proliferation.
3. Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can inherit biases present in their training data or algorithms, leading to discriminatory outcomes, such as targeting certain groups disproportionately or reinforcing existing societal inequalities.
4. Privacy and Surveillance: The use of AI in defense often involves extensive data collection and analysis, raising concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and the potential for mass surveillance or infringement of individual rights.
5. Dual-Use Technology: AI developed for military purposes can have dual-use applications, meaning it can be repurposed for civilian surveillance or control, blurring the lines between military and civilian spheres and potentially leading to misuse or abuse of technology.
6. International Security and Arms Race: The proliferation of AI in defense raises concerns about international security dynamics, arms races, and the potential for destabilization if certain nations gain significant advantages or if there’s a lack of transparency and cooperation in AI development.
7. Human-Machine Interaction: As AI systems become more integrated into military operations, questions arise about the appropriate roles for humans in decision-making processes, the potential for overreliance on technology, and the erosion of human agency and accountability.

The threat of Non- state actors

The advancement of military research in Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) presents the threat  of granting access to devastating weaponry to non-state actors. Historically, technological progress in the military realm has often empowered non-state groups, particularly when the barriers to entry are low. 

AWS, with their potential to mitigate or eliminate physical risks associated with terrorism and offer increased anonymity, could fundamentally change the landscape of security threats. Unlike manual drones currently utilized by groups like Yemen’s Houthi Rebels. 

AWS possesses unique features such as resistance to traditional countermeasures like jamming and the potential for force multiplication, as seen in swarm drone tactics. While non-state actors may lack the present engineering capabilities for sophisticated AWS, even basic autonomous drones operating collectively could yield catastrophic consequences. 

The problem of attribution 

The issue of attribution poses a significant challenge in the realm of drone warfare, as evidenced by the tragic incident in Tudun Biri, Nigeria, in December 2023. Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s characterization of the event as a “bombing mishap,” the Nigerian military’s drone strike resulted in the loss of over 85 civilian lives. While the Nigerian Air Force attributed the incident to an intelligence failure and issued personal apologies from top officials, the incident highlights a troubling trend.

As the prospect of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) looms larger, there arises a troubling scenario where perpetrators could deflect responsibility by attributing the actions to “errantly operating AI.” This raises serious concerns about accountability and the ability to ascertain culpability in the event of civilian casualties or other violations of international humanitarian law.

Alarmingly, reports suggest that Ukraine may already be employing autonomous attack drones in its conflict with Russia, potentially targeting combatants without direct human oversight. This development underscores the urgency of addressing the ethical and legal implications of AI-driven warfare, as the ability to accurately attribute responsibility becomes increasingly elusive in an era of advancing technology.

The way ahead 

1. International Cooperation and Diplomacy: There is a pressing need for nations to engage in open dialogue and cooperation to establish international norms, regulations, and treaties governing the development and use of AWS. Diplomatic efforts should aim to foster transparency, accountability, and consensus on ethical principles and legal frameworks.
2. Ethical Guidelines and Standards: Policymakers, military leaders, and technologists should collaborate to develop clear ethical guidelines and standards for the design, deployment, and use of AWS. These guidelines should prioritize the protection of civilians, adherence to international humanitarian law, and respect for human rights.
3. Transparency and Accountability: Governments and military organizations must ensure transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of AWS. This includes robust mechanisms for oversight, review, and accountability in cases of misuse or violations of ethical and legal standards.
4. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Efforts should be made to comprehensively assess the risks associated with the use of AWS, including the potential for unintended harm, escalation of conflict, and erosion of human control. Strategies for risk mitigation should be developed and integrated into decision-making processes.
5. Engagement with Civil Society: Civil society organizations, including human rights groups, academia, and advocacy organizations, should be actively engaged in discussions and policymaking related to AWS. Their expertise and perspectives can help ensure that ethical considerations and humanitarian concerns are adequately addressed.

1. Education and Awareness: Efforts should be made to raise public awareness and understanding of the ethical, legal, and security implications of AWS. Education and outreach initiatives can help foster informed public discourse and support for policies that prioritize human well-being and global security.

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Ankit Kumar

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