The Accountability of Software Developers for War Crimes Involving Autonomous Weapons

Medicalized weapons & modern war.

"Medicalized" weapons--those that rely on advances in neuroscience, physiology, and pharmacology--offer the prospect of reducing casualties and protecting civilians. They could be especially useful in modern asymmetric wars in which conventional states are pitted against guerrilla or insurgent forces. But may physicians and other medical workers participate in their development?

Are Crimes against Humanity More Serious than War Crimes?

This paper addresses the question of the relative gravity of crimes against humanity vis-à-vis war crimes. The issue is tackled from a double perspective. First, the categories of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are compared at the general or legislative level. The analysis is mainly based on international treaties and other instruments that consider these crimes from the viewp...

War-Algorithm Accountability

In this briefing report, we introduce a new concept (war algorithms) that elevates algorithmically-derived choices and decisions to a, and perhaps the, central concern regarding technical autonomy in war. We thereby aim to shed light on and recast the discussion regarding autonomous weapon systems. We define war algorithm as any algorithm that is expressed in computer code, that is effectuated ...

War Crimes of Circumstance and Convenience

Nuclear Weapons and the Second World War

Since the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons have captured the attention of social scientists and the public alike. Some argue that the world benefits from nuclear weapons, claiming that they prevent war. Skeptics do not share this view and worry that nuclear weapons will only intensify conflict. Unfortunately, most theories about the benefits of nuclear weapons await judge...