Autonomous Weapons and International Law: The Rise of AI in Warfare

Introduction The development of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) , which can operate with little to no human intervention, represents one of the most controversial and ethically fraught areas of artificial intelligence (AI) development. From drones capable of independently identifying and engaging targets to autonomous military robots , these technologies are revolutionizing modern warfare. However, with this revolution comes a host of legal and ethical challenges that international law is currently ill-equipped to handle. While autonomous weapons have the potential to reduce human casualties in conflict by removing soldiers from dangerous situations, they also raise profound questions about accountability, the ethics of machine-led decision-making, and the potential for misuse. As AI becomes an increasingly dominant force in military strategy, the international community must address whether and how these weapons should be regulated under international humanitarian law. This article ...