ource: Madras Courier

Madras Courier publishes an opinion piece on the escalating threat of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), often dubbed "killer robots." The article argues that the integration of AI into military hardware constitutes the "third revolution in warfare," following gunpowder and nuclear weapons. It raises profound legal questions regarding International Humanitarian Law, specifically the principles of distinction and proportionality. If an AI drone independently decides to strike a target that results in civilian casualties, the chain of command—and thus legal culpability—becomes obscure.

The author calls for an immediate international treaty to ban fully autonomous weapons that lack meaningful human control. The piece criticizes major powers (US, China, Russia) for blocking such bans at the UN, driven by a desire to maintain military superiority. It warns that without regulation, algorithmic warfare could lead to "flash wars" triggered by machine errors, escalating conflicts faster than human diplomacy can intervene.