X-47 Killer Drone Goes It Alone
Who Will Be Accountable When It Does Its Own Math?
The X-47B will not only land itself, but will also know what kind of weapons it is carrying, when and where it needs to refuel with an aerial tanker, and whether there’s a nearby threat, said Carl Johnson, Northrop’s X-47B program manager. “It will do its own math and decide what it should do next.”
Photo source: Wikipedia
There’s an excellent article by By W.J. Hennigan, of the Los Angeles Times about the next phase in robot warfare.
“Lethal actions should have a clear chain of accountability,” said Noel Sharkey, a computer scientist and robotics expert. “This is difficult with a robot weapon. The robot cannot be held accountable. So is it the commander who used it? The politician who authorized it? The military’s acquisition process? The manufacturer, for faulty equipment?”
Reblogged this on Calgary Recreational and Ultralight Flying Club (CRUFC).