The International Law Centre of the
Swedish Defence University together with SIPRI invite you to a public lecture on 11 May:
Do we need new norms and new laws to control fully autonomous weapon systems?
Please note that you have to confirm your participation. Information on how to confirm will be found below.
To what extent does the increased
automation and computerization of warfare challenge our interpretation of the
law and its applicability, and possibly require revising existing law and or
writing law anew? These questions are at the core of the current international
debate on lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) that is currently taking
place under the framework of the 1981 United Nations Conventions on Certain
Conventional Weapons (CCW). At present, experts, NGOs and states parties to the
Convention, have very different interpretations as to whether LAWS—understood
as weapons which could select and engage target independent of human control—
could comply with international laws, or might require special regulations.
Dr Peter Asaro will present and discuss
his most recent publication, ‘Jus Nascendi, Robotics Weapons and the
Martens Clause’, in which he addresses specific reasons for establishing an
international legal instrument to prohibit the use of lethal autonomous weapons
systems. He will also present the legal framework and means by which new law
could come into place for new robotics technologies, as well as the
philosophical issues that arise in this process.
Featured Speaker
Dr Peter Asaro, Assistant Professor
with the School of Media at the The New School, USA and Visiting Fellow with
the Center for Information Technology Policy of Princeton University, USA. Dr
Asaro is a philosopher of science, technology and media. His current research
focuses on the social, cultural, political, legal and ethical dimensions of
military robotics and UAVs (drones). He is a member of International Committee
for Robot Arms Control (ICRAC) and the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.
Moderators
Dr Heather Harrison Dinniss, Senior Lecturer in
International Law, International Law Centre, Department of Security, Strategy
and Leadership, Swedish Defence University. Her research focuses on the impact
of modern warfare on international humanitarian law, in particular on cyber
warfare, advanced and autonomous weapons systems.
Dr Vincent Boulanin, Researcher,
Cybersecurity Project, European Security Programme Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute. He works on issues related to the production, use and
control of emerging military and security technologies.
Where and When
Monday 11 May 2015, 17.15-18.45 at Swedish Defence University,
Drottning Kristinas väg 37, Stockholm
Room: Sverigesalen
Please confirm your participation
no later than Thursday, 7 May 2015 by sending an email with your name,
affiliation, and ID card number (required for entering the building) to
Reint-Jan Groot Nuelend, grootnuelend@sipri.org.
