AI Experts Boycott South Korean University Over 'Killer Robots' (bbc.com)

An anonymous reader shares a report: Leading AI experts have boycotted a South Korean university over a partnership with weapons manufacturer Hanwha Systems. More than 50 AI researchers from 30 countries signed a letter expressing concern about its plans to develop artificial intelligence for weapons. In response, the university said it would not be developing "autonomous lethal weapons." The boycott comes ahead of a UN meeting to discuss killer robots. Shin Sung-chul, president of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist), said: "I reaffirm once again that Kaist will not conduct any research activities counter to human dignity including autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control. Kaist is significantly aware of ethical concerns in the application of all technologies including artificial intelligence."

Comments

Technology already exists, just needs integration

[DrTJ]

There is excellent computer vision algorithms (e.g. in automotive industry) that can detect and track humans (even partially obscured) with great accuracy.
There is excellent robot technology available (just look at Boston, or your average drone manufacturer).
And there is no lack of "aim and fire" technology from the e.g. north american continent.

It is not all that difficult to assemble these pieces into a nightmarish unit. You can already now see (rather harmless soft air gun) prototypes of this on YouTube.

The university does not need to "manufacture autonomous lethal weapons", they just need to some generic AI stuff and leave the weaponization to others who probably are more than willing to do it.

This sounds like an arms race to me; if one army will obtains this technology, will the others sit around and accept it? Heck, even if all armies would collectively refrain from it, what prevents your favorite terrorist organization from doing it? It's not THAT high tech anymore.

Re:Tiem to design a powerful EMP

[ShanghaiBill]

Design one that will penetrate even the most robust faraday cage.

So when AQ deploys a killbot on Wall Street, are we going to self-nuke NYC?

First law of war on the battlefield...

Modern wars are not fought on "battlefields".

blast an EMP over enemy lines. take out central command.

There are no "lines" and there is no "central command".

You play way too many video games.

AI and killbots versus Internet and porn

[Ted Stoner]

Naively thinking AI will not be used for creating killbots is like thinking you could create the Internet and not have it used for porn.