Beyond the Human; The Implications of Autonomous Systems on the Future of Warfare
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/esa.v4i3.40Keywords:
Autonomous, Autonomous System, Future WarfareAbstract
This research explores how autonomous systems will shape future warfare by studying their ethical dilemmas alongside their strategic effects and international security challenges. The study uses qualitative descriptive methods to examine existing literature and case studies related to military autonomous technology development. Autonomous systems improve battlefield performance, but they expose military operations to risks such as escalation of conflicts and violations of international humanitarian law along with algorithmic failures. The research highlights the urgent requirement for global regulatory systems and ethical standards to tackle the new challenges identified.
References
Asaro, P. (2020). The limits of autonomy in weapon systems: Ethical and legal challenges. International Review of the Red Cross, 102(913), 37-61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S181638312000022X
Binnendijk, A., Marler, E., & Bartels, E. (2023). Human control over autonomous systems: A framework for meaningful oversight. RAND Corporation. https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA1233-1
Bode, I., & Watts, T. (2022). Meaning-less human control: Lessons from AI security for autonomous weapons. Contemporary Security Policy, 43(2), 243-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523260.2022.2058427
Bode, I., & Watts, T. (2022). Contemporary Security Policy, 43(2), 243-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523260.2022.2058427
Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. (2023). Model convention on the prohibition of autonomous weapons systems. https://www.stopkillerrobots.org
Coeckelbergh, M. (2022). AI ethics and accountability: The case of autonomous weapons. AI & Society, 37(3), 1023-1032. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01378-8
Crootof, R. (2021). The law of autonomous weapons systems: A research framework. Harvard National Security Journal, 12(1), 1-45.
Crawford, K. (2021). The atlas of AI: Power, politics, and the planetary costs of artificial intelligence. Yale University Press.
Department of Defense (DoD). (2021). Autonomous systems in defense: Strategic implications. U.S. Government Publishing Office.
Department of Defense (DoD). (2023). Annual report on autonomous weapons development. https://www.defense.gov
DoD. (2021). Autonomous systems in defense. U.S. Government Publishing Office
EU Parliament. (2022). Report on artificial intelligence in military applications (2021/2106(INI)). https://www.europarl.europa.eu.
Gross, M. L. (2021). Assassination by algorithm: The case of Fakhrizadeh. Ethics & International Affairs, 35(2), 247-260. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0892679421000183
Horowitz, M. C., & Scharre, P. (2021). AI and international stability: Risks and mitigation. Center for a New American Security.
Horowitz, M. C. (2020). The diffusion of military power: Causes and consequences for international politics. Princeton University Press.
Jervis, R. (2021). How AI changes the action-reaction cycle in arms races. Journal of Strategic Studies, 44(5), 654-677. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2021.1928962
Johnson, J., MacWillson, A., & Smith, M. (2023). The limits of AI in warfare: Case studies from Project Maven. Journal of Conflict Technology, 7(1), 45-67.
Johnson, J., et al. (2023). Journal of Conflict Technology, 7(1), 45-67.
Kania, E. (2021). AI and escalation risks in China-US relations. Center for Security and Emerging Technology. https://doi.org/10.51593/20210012
Payne, K. (2024). Algorithmic escalation control: Lessons from Cold War nuclear strategy. International Security, 48(3), 79-112.
RAND Corporation. (2024). Simulating autonomous warfare scenarios. https://www.rand.org
Roff, H., & Danks, D. (2022). "Trust but verify": The challenge of autonomous weapons testing. Science and Engineering Ethics, 28(3), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-022-00372-7
Roff, H. (2023). The precautionary principle and autonomous weapons. Journal of Military Ethics, 22(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15027570.2023.2182134.
Santoni de Sio, F., & van den Hoven, J. (2020). Meaningful human control over autonomous systems. Philosophy & Technology, 33(1), 53-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-019-00386-3
Santoni de Sio, F., & van den Hoven, J. (2020). Philosophy & Technology, 33(1), 53-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-019-00386-3
Schmitt, M. N., & Thurnher, J. S. (2023). Autonomous weapons and the law of armed conflict. Cambridge University Press.
Snyder, G. (2020). The balance of power in the autonomous warfare era. Journal of Strategic Studies, 43(4), 512-535. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2020.1759156
The Guardian. (2021, September 17). US drone strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, investigation finds. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/us-drone-strike-kabul-civilians-pentagon.
UN Panel of Experts. (2021). Final report on Libya (S/2021/229). https://undocs.org/S/2021/229
Watts, S. (2021). Drone warfare and the future of conflict. RAND Corporation.
Zadorozhnyi, O. (2023). Drone wars: Autonomous systems in Ukraine conflict. Royal United Services Institute. https://rusi.org/explore-our-research.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indonesian Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
