. | . |
Microsoft President calls for urgent action to tackle rise of killer robots by Staff Writers Washington DC (Sputnik) Sep 23, 2019
Despite public concern and criticism, numerous countries are developing military drones and autonomous weapon systems that are capable of destroying targets on their own and possibly also of replacing humans on some missions. As the chief of one of the world's leading tech companies suggests, the global community is unprepared for the shift. Microsoft President Brad Smith has told The Telegraph that governments urgently need to come up with new rules of the game for using "lethal autonomous weapon systems" being developed by numerous military powers. According to him, these killing machines, which include all kinds of drones with various types of weapons, ranging from guns to bombs, must "not be allowed to decide on their own to engage in combat and who to kill". He insisted that the world needs a new global convention that will introduce guidelines for this sphere as soon as possible, because, according to his prognosis, killer robots "ultimately will spread... to many countries". "The safety of civilians is at risk today. We need more urgent action, and we need it in the form of a digital Geneva Convention, rules that will protect civilians and soldiers", Smith said at the presentation of his new book, Tools and Weapons. Apart from the dangers of autonomous weapons, he also called for stricter international rules concerning other rapidly developing technologies that can impact human lives, namely facial recognition tools and sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. "There needs to be a new law in this space, we need regulation in the world of facial recognition in order to protect against potential abuse", he said, as cited by The Telegraph. The outlet points out that while countries like the US, China, Israel, South Korea, Russia, and the UK have joined the robot arms race, the trend is facing strong opposition worldwide. For instance, the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots has spread to over 57 countries, comprising over 100 non-governmental organisations. Source: Sputnik News
Russia terminates robot Fedor after space odyssey Moscow (AFP) Sept 11, 2019 It's mission over for a robot called Fedor that Russia blasted to the International Space Station, the developers said Wednesday, admitting he could not replace astronauts on space walks. "He won't fly there any more. There's nothing more for him to do there, he's completed his mission," Yevgeny Dudorov, executive director of robot developers Androidnaya Tekhnika, told RIA Novosti state news agency. The silvery anthropomorphic robot cannot fulfil its assigned task to replace human astronauts on ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |