Following reports of the first fully autonomous drone strike targeting civilians in Ukraine, CERL Affiliated Faculty Member Michael Horowitz joined PRX’s The World radio program to discuss the role of AI systems on the battlefield. In a conversation ranging from legal to operational concerns, Professor Horowitz explained that many weapons systems have included autonomous components for decades, but that following the principle of distinction is an extremely complicated endeavor even for humans, noting that modern AI models are likely not up to the task. He also described the political hurdles facing international governance of lethal autonomous weapons systems, and some measures that may be feasible for restraining their use.

Michael C. Horowitz is Director of Perry World House and Richard Perry Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of CERL’s Affiliated Faculty. Read his bio here.

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