Transcript Ethical Considerations of Combat AI

Ethical Considerations of Combat AI
By Nick Blum
2012-4-12
CSCE 390
Virginia Tech Team to Build Battlefield Robots for 2010 Competition
Virginia Tech News
2009-9-16
Problem
• In 1942, Isaac Asimov proposed three laws for
robotics. Among these was the proposition that a
robot should never harm a human, or through
inaction, allow a human to come to harm
• Universities, corporations and governments are
laying the groundwork for AI robots to be used in
combat
• No clear laws are in place regarding the roles AI
may play in combat
• Is it ethical to allow AI robots the decision to kill
humans in combat?
• Stakeholders:
-Military and Government
-Humans
• Possible Solutions:
1) Allow combat AI large degree of autonomy
+Greater efficiency, less collateral damage
-Robots kill humans (not tolerable)
2) Do not allow any AI in combat
+Advanced nations agree to not allow AI in combat
- Not everyone agrees and friendly forces are harmed because
of this philosophy’s technological disadvantage
(not tolerable)
3) Allow AI to provide non-violent combat support
+Robots are still allowed to capture and disarm enemies
-Inefficiency (tolerable)
I would be willing for everyone to use my
solution because it…
-treats people as ends rather than means as it
maintains their dominion over their creations
-is the closest to what is natural, given the
context; that is, machines used as support
rather than independent entities
-is balanced between allowing the benefits
of AI in combat without the moral dilemma
of killer robots
-may not be the most efficient solution, but I
believe it would be deemed satisfactory to
the greatest number of people
• I am committed to this solution. I support the
use of AI to its greatest extent, short of
allowing robots to harm humans
• Idealism and pragmatism were both
influential in my decision
• ACM Perspective
1.2 Avoid harm to others
2.1 Strive to achieve the highest quality,
effectiveness and dignity in both the process
and products of computing
Sources
• http://www.newswise.com/articles/virginia-tech-team-to-buildbattlefield-robots-for-2010-competition
• http://technews.acm.org/archives.cfm?fo=2009-12-dec/dec-18-2009.html
• http://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics