The problematisation of human control over lethal autonomous weapons

Abstract

This chapter addresses the question of how the US Department of Defence (DoD) problematises the policy regarding the use of autonomous weapon systems. The study focuses on the exploration of what specific ‘problem’ the policy addresses, the assumptions behind the problem representation, and what has been left out of this representation. Specifically, the article focuses on the concept of human judgement, which is the cornerstone of the US DoD policy. In the global debate about the potential limitations over the use of autonomous weapons, a similar concept of human control is often evoked. Yet, it is argued that the US DoD policy of human judgement represents a novel approach based on different assumptions regarding the nature of autonomous weapons, and it leaves some important considerations outside the scope of this policy.