Friend or frenemy? The role of trust in human-machine teaming and lethal autonomous weapons systems. (18th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warren, Aiden; Hillas, Alek
• Is Part Of: Small wars & insurgencies. Volume 31:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 822
• Page End: 850
• Publication Date: 2020-05-18
• Subjects: Military artificial intelligence -- lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) -- human-robot trust -- human-machine teaming -- manned-unmanned teaming -- dual-use technologies; Low-intensity conflicts (Military science) -- Periodicals; Insurgency -- Periodicals; 355.021805
• DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2020.1743485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-2318

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article explores the imprecise boundary between Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) and Human-Machine Teaming – as a subset of Human-Machine Interaction – and the extent both are emerging as a point of concern (and option) in military and security policy debates. As the development of Human-Machine Teaming relates to artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities there also exists an area of concern pertaining to reliability and confidence, particularly in the heat of battle. Also known as Manned-Unmanned Teaming, Human-Machine Teaming attempts to engender trust and collaborative partnerships with robots and algorithms. Clearly the prospect of LAWS in recent times, or so-called 'killer robots, ' has raised questions relating to the degree such devices can be trusted to select and engage targets without further human intervention. Aside from examining the 'trust factor, ' the article also considers security threats posed by both state and non-state actors and the complicit yet inadvertent role multinational corporations play in such developments where civilian technology is modified for dual-purposes. The effectiveness of government regulation over AI, including whether AI can be 'nationalised' for national security reasons, will also be examined as part of AI non-proliferation.