With all of these complications, why even go down the path of full autonomy? The answer is simple: military superiority and survivability. The full potential of autonomous systems cannot be realized if there are humans in the loop for all key decisions. The First Offset was about massive firepower delivered bluntly and coordinated over a modest window of time. The Second Offset was about modest firepower, delivered with precision and coordinated over a longer window of time.

Autonomy is coming to warfare, and some would say it's already here. Weapon systems driven by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms will soon be making potentially deadly decisions on the battlefield. This transition is not theoretical. The immense capability of large numbers of autonomous systems represents a revolution in warfare that no country can ignore. As we march towards this reality, it is important that technology leaders and military strategists begin a discussion around the moral and legal framework within which such autonomous capabilities will be enabled.

Autonomy is coming to warfare, and some would say it's already here. Weapon systems driven by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms will soon be making potentially deadly decisions on the battlefield. This transition is not theoretical. The immense capability of large numbers of autonomous systems represents a revolution in warfare that no country can ignore. As we march towards this reality, it is important that technology leaders and military strategists begin a discussion around the moral and legal framework within which such autonomous capabilities will be enabled.