22 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 www.vanguardcanada.com
B E TW E E N M YT H S A N D CO N F U S I O N
L E T H A L A U TO N O M O U S
W E A PO N S:
IN MAY 2023, PRESS
REPORTS STATED
THAT AN ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE (AI)-
CONTROLLED DRONE
HAD KILLED ITS OWN
INSTRUCTOR DURING A
TEST CONDUCTED BY
THE US MILITARY.
A
lthough it was a virtual
test with no physical con-
sequences, this event illus-
trated the potential dangers
of this technology. During
the test, the AI's objective was to neutral-
ize an enemy defence system, with the hu-
man operator having the final approval or
disapproval. The AI allegedly realized that
the operator's refusal disrupted the accom-
plishment of his mission and thus targeted
him. It should be noted that the US Air
Force quickly denied the existence of such
a test, emphasizing their commitment to
the ethical and responsible use of AI.
Whether this story is anecdotal or not,
this example shows that defence strategies
are constantly evolving, and that the emer-
gence of autonomous weapons equipped
with artificial intelligence raises significant
concerns. These advancements generate
both fantasies and apprehensions about
the future of warfare and great power ri-
valry. In September 2017, during a speech
delivered before students in Moscow,
President Vladimir Putin declared that
the country leading the research on artifi-
cial intelligence would become the global
leader.
An unmanned aerial vehicle
operator supporting the 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (MEU), guides a
VBAT Unmanned Aerial System during
take-off fromamphibious transport
dock USS Portland. (U.S. Marine Corps
photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Katz)
L E T H A L W E A P O N S
