Viewpoint: An Ethics Framework for Autonomous Weapon Systems

Abstract

This essay draws on extensive personal engagement in numerous national and international events and discussions, to explore some of the key ethical challenges presented by the development and deployment of autonomous weapon systems (AWS). Some of these ethical reflections are process driven, while others are outcome focused. I sketch out a technological, political and operational landscape, bringing together several of the elements that must combine to provide AWS capability within an ethical framework. Practically, each of these elements is hugely complex; this paper can only hope to provide an overview of the challenges, rather than an in-depth analysis. Whilst distinct legal questions will also be raised by these elements, the priority here is to outline an AWS ethics framework for current and future discussion. Throughout, I assume that war ethics are comparative – making better or worse choices – rather than ideal – making simple choices between good and evil – in complex, seemingly impossible situations.