Autonomous Weapons: A Volcano yet to Erupt - Strafasia

The introduction of AI systems in militaries and acquisition by countries, especially great powers, may have grave implications in the long run. A perceived inequity can be seen in the balance of power if the AI race starts to gain momentum. One can argue that the race will be catalysed by the influence of a state acquiring AI systems thus posing a threat to another state all due to the anarchic nature of the international arena. As we grow, or at the very least try to be mindful of the unintended results affiliated with the advancement in military technology and autonomous weapons, we realize the militaristic attraction that these weapons possess and how we cannot sufficiently envision the possibility of these self-sufficient weapons advancing. In 2016, a professional competition took place between a South Korean expert of the strategy game called Go and Google's artificial intelligence program in which the master player Lee Se-Dol announced his withdrawal from the contest after failing to win against the program.