Army of None

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A Pentagon defense expert and former U.S. Army Ranger delves into the implications of granting machines authority over life-and-death decisions. He raises critical questions about the autonomy of weapons, such as Predator drones and self-targeting systems, which can operate without human intervention. Drawing from extensive research and personal experience, the author examines the evolution of autonomous weapons and the ongoing movement to regulate them, addressing the legal and ethical dilemmas they present. He traces the history of military technology, from World War II's German noise-seeking torpedoes to modern autonomous cyber weapons and robotic armies. Through interviews with defense experts, ethicists, and activists, the narrative explores the challenges faced by future "centaur warfighters," who will blend human and machine intelligence. While technological advancements have been remarkable, they also reveal potential dangers, as seen in incidents like the F-22 fighter jets' computer failures. With at least thirty countries already deploying defensive autonomous weapons under human oversight, the global race for more autonomous military technology intensifies. The ethical questions posed are urgent: How far should we advance such technologies? If responsible democracies impose bans, will rogue states exploit the gap? This thought-provoking examination argues for leveraging technology to enhance warfare's precision and