Autonomous weapons systems (AWS), also known as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), are weapons systems which can select, detect and engage targets with little or no human intervention. While this makes them rather good when that nice Mr Putin decides he wants your country and invades it as part of a surprise special operation, it is a little worrying that they operate with very little ethics or oversight.

The House of Lords has established Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Weapon Systems Committee and called for evidence into the ethics of developing and deploying autonomous weapons, including how they can be used safely and reliably, their potential for conflict escalation, and their compliance with international laws.

The committee will look at the technical, legal and ethical safeguards that are necessary to control the use of AWS, and the sufficiency of current UK policy and the state of international policymaking in this area.

Committee chair Lord Lisvane said that artificial intelligence features in many areas of life, including armed conflict. One of the most controversial uses of AI in defence is the creation of autonomous weapon systems that can select and engage a target without the direct control or supervision of a human operator.

“We plan to examine the concerns that have arisen about the ethics of these systems, what are the practicalities of their use, whether they risk escalating wars more quickly, and their compliance with international humanitarian law. Our work relies on the input of a wide range of individuals and is most effective when it is informed by as diverse a range of perspectives and experiences as possible. We are inviting all those with views on this pressing and critical issue, including both experts and non-experts, to respond to our call for evidence by 10 April 2023.”

Following evidence submissions, the committee will begin interviewing witnesses in public sessions between March and July, with the aim of concluding its overall investigation by November 2023. A UK government response is expected shortly after in January 2024.