The UK government has defended its approach to the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) and military artificial intelligence (AI), asserting that it is acting responsibly. This comes in response to warnings from the Lords to proceed with caution. Critics argue that the government is not adequately considering alternative ethical perspectives and that its response confirms its commitment to its current course of action. The Lords Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems committee, established in January 2023 to explore the ethics of military AI and LAWS, found that the government’s promise to approach military AI in an ambitious, safe, and responsible manner has not been realised. The committee specifically highlighted a lack of understanding and the pursuit of agendas in discussions around LAWS and military AI. They warned the government to proceed with caution when employing AI for military purposes. In its response to the committee’s findings, the government claims it is already acting responsibly. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) prioritises maximising military capability in the face of potential adversaries who are deemed less responsible. The government also counters criticism by stating its commitment to the safe and responsible use of AI in the military domain, in adherence to national and international legal obligations. The government’s response addresses specific recommendations made by the committee, including improving oversight, increasing democratic support, and making more information available for scrutiny. The government asserts that it is already taking steps to deliver these outcomes. However, critics argue that the government’s response fails to adequately address ethical concerns and relies too heavily on the concept of “responsible AI”. The emphasis on responsibility, they argue, creates a strategic distinction between responsible actors (e.g. Western powers) and irresponsible actors (e.g. China or Russia), undermining genuine ethical engagement. Critics also note that the government’s response highlights Israel as a key partner on military AI, despite concerns over Israel’s use of AI in targeting systems and its impact on civilian casualties in the conflict with Gaza. Overall, critics argue that the government’s response does not sufficiently address the ethical challenges raised and instead seeks to continue with its current approach.
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