ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the most radical solution to human military risk: the replacement of humans with artificial intelligence (AI) systems and robots. Although military robots deployed to date remain telepresent technologies, there is an increasing movement towards AI and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). The US insists these systems will operate alongside humans who will remain in control, but the likelihood is they will take us into an era of ‘post-human’ warfare. We face, therefore, an AI and robotic Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). The chapter surveys the rise of robotics, the trend towards increasing autonomy, the pros and cons of robotics, the campaign to ban ‘killer robots’, and the proliferation and future of battlefield AI and robotic technologies.
