The evolving landscape of warfare has been marked by many transformations throughout the history of mankind, from sticks and rocks to modern machinery.
Today, a new revolution in warfare stands before us, one that can very well change the very nature of war itself. This future is linked to the rapid advancement in Robotics and AI in the past few years. However, it comes with a host of very complex ethical concerns.
Are there advantages?
Robots are seen as advantageous due to their strict adherence to laws, and their ability to stay consistent under pressure without taking unethical paths. Combat robots provide the military leadership with predictability since they know the capabilities of the robot and they don't have to risk overestimating it.
The use of machines in war dates back to the 1930s with the use of aerial machinery. Nowadays, the focus is on walking robots that have the same capabilities as human soldiers.
Many militaries and governments around the world have already invested millions into autonomous and robotic warfare technology.
For example, in Ukraine, the military found great value in using “Loitering Munitions”, which are essentially a mix of drones and munitions. They aren’t completely autonomous as of yet and still require human control, but they have significantly decreased human casualties and risk. Instead of having soldiers tread through enemy lines, they could send a drone that would essentially “loiter” in enemy territory until an enemy was found, which wouldn't require the risk of having someone walk through enemy lines, and would also tell the user where the located enemy was.
Another example is the U.S. military, which has been investing in combat robots for the past few years. The robots vary in uses, from reconnaissance to carrying wounded soldiers away from the battlefield. One really interesting robot that was developed by the U.S. is called SAFFiR, or ‘Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot’, which is a humanoid robot that stands at around 5'10 and weighs about 143 lbs. SAFFiR’s job is to extinguish fires that occur on naval ships. SAFFiR can’t stand without a tether, but it can still take steps and hold hoses. The unique thing about SAFFiR is its superhuman range of motion to maneuver in complex spaces, which makes it a better and less risky option for damaged and fragile parts of the ship.
Ethics and concerns
The complete replacement of humans with robots in warfare still faces significant challenges. Military robots are still very costly and are not designed to be direct replacements for specialists. The risk of the machine falling into the control of the enemy also poses a large concern.
Modern robotics classifies robots into 3 categories: Fully remote-controlled, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous systems. Development in AI and neural networks has enabled more autonomy, but there are still huge risks with fully autonomous combat robots. An example is an autonomous drone that caused a drone strike on targets without human intervention in Libya in 2020, which posed ethical concerns.
The legal and ethical implications of fully autonomous robots are under active debate. Deciding and determining who is responsible for the things the machines do, especially if an error occurs, is a complex issue to determine the answer of. Efforts to ban autonomous combat robots have been fairly unsuccessful because many major military powers have remained hesitant to support the bans.
The integration of autonomous systems and neural networks into combat technology is expected to increase exponentially, potentially reshaping military technology and tactics. While future wars might involve armies of robots with minimal human involvement, many legal, ethical, and practical issues must be addressed. Public pressure and the unpredictable consequences of robot warfare could ultimately influence the approach taken by the leading military powers.
What can we see in the future?
The future of robotics in warfare is a morally complex terrain. While it offers the potential to reduce human casualties, improve efficiency, and enhance the precision of warfare, it also brings to the forefront a range of ethical, legal, and strategic challenges. The international community must address these issues through careful regulation and dialogue to ensure that the use of robotics in warfare aligns with humanitarian values and global security.
As we venture into this new era of warfare, we must continually evaluate the role of robotics in military operations and strive for a future where human lives are protected, accountability is maintained, and war is pursued only as a last resort. The future of warfare may be different, but our responsibility to act ethically and responsibly remains an unwavering constant.