Warriors and War Algorithms: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enable Ethical Targeting
Abstract
This paper examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is likely to enable the US military to execute its warfighting missions in a more ethical way, and thereby better abide by the moral intent of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). It also highlights how human-machine teaming may create risks. It accomplishes this task by examining two key principles of military targeting: distinction and proportionality. AI can greatly assist warfighters in practicing discrimination by enhancing their ability to positively identify their targets. Additionally, the ability of emerging algorithms to ingest and characterize large data sources provides analysts with unprecedented levels of battlespace awareness, which allows them to better discriminate between adversary targets and non-combatants. With regard to proportionality, AI provides an opportunity to more effectively model weapons effects and estimate collateral damage. These models will allow targeting analysts to foresee and avoid previously unknown second-order effects to non-combatants. Fundamentally, partnering a human analyst with an AI that can more quickly identify potential targets and accurately foresee the probable results of a strike is the most ethically preferable course of action at this time. Therefore, it is AIs ability to provide greater foreseeability that enables military professionals to optimally adhere to the principles of distinction and proportionality.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 27, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1181382
Entities
People
- John G. Thorne
Organizations
- Naval War College