Can The UN Ban AI-Powered “Killer Robots” Before It’s Too Late?

I've been hanging around the United Nations these past few days attending events related to consultations on lethal autonomous weapons systems—so-called killer robots. These are AI-powered weapons systems that can select and strike targets without human control. This is not the stuff of science fiction. These weapons exist today, and they are becoming more powerful—and, frankly, more accessible. They can be relatively inexpensive and deployed by both states and non-state actors, including terrorist groups.

As of now, there are no meaningful international regulations governing the use or development of these lethal autonomous weapons systems. There is a clear gap in our global governance of these technologies.

Here at the United Nations, delegates have been discussing ways to close that gap—potentially through a new legally binding international treaty to regulate or even ban some of these systems.

My guest today, Anna Hehir, is at the forefront of this effort. She is the Head of Military AI at the Future of Life Institute. In our conversation, Anna explains exactly what these weapons entail, where and how they are being used today, and what the future may look like if they continue to be developed without rules or oversight. We then discuss the process of getting a potential treaty on lethal autonomous weapons systems—and why, even if key players do not join such a treaty, it could still make a meaningful difference.