The United Nations chief and the head of the Red Cross have warned that autonomous weapon systems, often called killer robots, could soon be used in conflicts. These lethal systems are generally understood as weapon systems that select targets and apply force without human intervention.
Both organizations are urging countries to adopt bans and restrictions on these systems, calling for states to adopt a legally binding instrument to regulate them. They have emphasized the need for urgent negotiations to restrict the use of weapons that can kill people without human involvement.
This urgency comes as military technology advances at record speed amid conflicts from Ukraine to Sudan, though international efforts have produced few limits. States are scheduled to meet in Geneva next week amid mounting concerns over the role of AI-assisted semi-autonomous weapons that have been used in conflicts.