Doctoral defence: Janar Pekarev "Military AI and autonomous weapon systems: an interdisciplinary exploration of ethical, legal, and sociological aspects"

On 29 May at 14:15 Janar Pekarev will defend his doctoral thesis "Military AI and autonomous weapon systems: an interdisciplinary exploration of ethical, legal, and sociological aspects" for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Sociology).

Supervisor:
Professor Veronika Kalmus, University of Tartu

Opponent:
Associate Professor René Moelker, Netherlands Defence Academy (Switzeland)

Summary
Imagine a world where the battlefield is occupied by unmanned platforms in the air and on the ground, directed by AI-driven autonomous systems. It is like stepping into a scene from the movie “The Terminator” where the main character describes doomsday machines as unstoppable and devoid of fear or remorse.

This dissertation explores the intricate topic of military AI and autonomous weapon systems (AWS). This interdisciplinary exploration aims to unravel the complexities of AI-driven warfare. At the heart of the thesis is the recognition that integrating AI into the military domain is not merely a technological leap but also a profound ethical, legal and sociological quandary that delves into the implications of delegating life-and-death decisions to machines. Similar to “The Terminator” narrative, the thesis brings to light the haunting question of accountability. As the character explains, “It cannot be bargained with, and it absolutely will not stop;” we are reminded of the responsibility held when a machine programmed to kill makes a mistake.

The dissertation also probes the sociological aspects, exploring public and military perceptions about the impact of weaponising AI. In essence, this thesis critically examines the evolving landscape of unmanned warfare, urging a re-evaluation of frameworks to ensure that the march of algorithms does not outpace our moral compasses.

This thesis does not shy away from the provocative. It challenges us to consider whether, in our pursuit of disruptive technological advancement, we are approaching a future where machines of war operate beyond our control. “They cannot make things like that yet,” argues one character, reflecting our current disbelief, while another responds: “Not yet, not for about 40 years”. It must be noted that the movie was released in 1984!

Yet, as we venture more profoundly, we question the inevitability of such a future. This thesis calls for a collective dialogue among policymakers, the defence industry, academia and the public. It emphasises the need to steer the course of military AI and AWS, ensuring that we remain the authors of our fate rather than mere spectators in a future forged by autonomous machines. The question that remains is, how does society respond? Do we dismiss the warnings of AI, or do we take action to ensure that the future of warfare remains under human command, guided by compassion, ethics, and legal principles?