Publication Date

Fall 2024

Abstract

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) rapid development and integration into drone systems is reshaping modern warfare, with significant implications for international security. As seen in the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, AI-enabled drones are increasingly employed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), loitering munitions, and swarm formations. The use of AI for autonomous target identification and decision-making raises both operational advantages and ethical concerns, particularly concerning accountability and the potential for unintended escalation. This paper explores the capabilities of AI drones, focusing on their implication for global security and stability and the growing challenge of regulating such systems. The proliferation of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) poses a security dilemma, particularly with the competition between states to acquire these weapons. Furthermore, the advent of "humans out of the loop" systems challenges traditional deterrence theories, as these weapons lower the cost of conflict and decision-making while raising the risks of catastrophic errors. As states and non-state actors continue to develop and deploy these technologies, international law, and governance mechanisms struggle to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements. This paper argues that autonomous drones present serious security concerns and require urgent and comprehensive international regulation to prevent the destabilizing effects of AI-driven drone warfare, as well as to mitigate the ethical, legal, and strategic challenges posed by their proliferation.

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

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