Rau 1

Allison Rau

Dr. Sterling

ENGL 1302

24 June 2017

Rogerian Argument on Artificial Intelligence and Robots

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving in a society where technological advances have

become a necessity to humankind. A recent conflict involving Artificial Intelligence as a weapon

generated much controversial debate as to how it may be applicable in a community where

competition is crucial to succeeding as a nation. In 2013, Russia and North Korea began

developing robots who can carry weapons and operate autonomously around the battlefield

(McGlynn). Artificial Intelligence has advanced to a point where the concept of Robotic Warfare

provokes much fear and hope among competing countries, such as Russia and North Korea, who

envision technology as a key to superiority (Sharkey). The controversy lies at whether war

between two countries should allow Artificial Intelligence as leverage in battle, or if the risk of

determined leaders abusing the power of robotic machinery, and the robots intellectual

advancements, will lead to innocent causality. One side of the argument claims that robotic

technology will help to assist and aid soldiers in battle. However, the other side declares this

action to be too dangerous, for technology might encourage leaders to use force in this new

arms race (McGlynn). Both sides naturally support harnessing the capabilities of Artificial

Intelligence as it evolves, but their opinion on how this evolution should be applied differs

greatly.
 Rau 2

The concept of Artificial Intelligence incorporated into war as means of weaponry may

pose a threat if the leader abuses its capabilities. By human nature, the struggle for superiority

exists extensively when there is a clear and present danger. The pressure of war is no exception,

as drastic measures are often taken by leaders who seek dominance at any cost, often resulting in

a catastrophic event (Sharkey). Inevitably, war will continue to evolve as technology advances;

however there will be significant consequences if developed countries do not consider how

Artificial Intelligence might be mistreated. During the Afghanistan and Iraq war in 2001 and

2003, military officials from Iraq stole and supplied robotic weaponry with lethal chemicals as a

last attempt to commit mass murder (McGlynn). As a result, more soldiers lost their lives than

what was initially expected because of the misuse of robotic weaponry. Despite this, more than

40 countries including the United States, Great Britain, Russia and China are continuing

to develop a new generation of robotic weapons that may be considered for mass homicide if

necessary (McGlynn). Warfighting machinery on the battlefield is increasing at an alarming rate

and shows no signs of slowing down as countries demonstrate their fierce competition. The race

for incorporating Artificial Intelligence as a weapon may indicate a demonstration of the power

of countries leaders and can result in authorized corruption among civilization.

The danger of advanced Artificial Intelligence also coincides with the autonomous

robots lack of predictability as a serious threat. The adoption of robotic weaponry may progress

to a point where a commander in chief can no longer give the robot strict instruction; rather the

robot will be capable of its own mobility and decision making. This advancement in the AI

system ultimately allows autonomous navigation capabilities that may raise the possibility of

destruction among civilian populations (Underwood). Technology is hastily evolving towards

 Rau 3

potential unpredictability of the robots behavior in how the weapon may choose to identify a

person as a threat. Because of the autonomous robots competence in distinguishing servicemen

from civilians, the likelihood of an unfavorable and lethal outcome of the battle will increase

dramatically. Furthermore, the system may be designed by leaders with malicious intent when

they consider the advantages of the robots intellect (Underwood). The relationship between a

military officer and the capabilities of an autonomous robot solely depend upon the leaders

moral decisions. For this reason, the robot may be more likely to engage in irresponsible actions

that only demonstrate the hazards of utilizing Artificial Intelligence in war.

Artificial Intelligence will enhance war efforts by providing the soldiers with reliable

robotic machinery for assistance. The technological advancements of robotic weaponry are

substantially influencing how countries such as the United States approach their enemies and

how these advancements may actually save lives. The effects of war will be great, as these

unnamed weapons will have multiple advantages on the battlefield that may leave a country

dominant in power and tactic. War is often unpredictable and uncertain as to whether a small

expedition may develop into a suicide mission. One of the greatest employments of Artificial

Intelligence is the advantage of an expendable soldier in replace of human beings. Often there

are perilous missions involving pilots who have accepted and embraced death as they routinely

understand the consequences and sacrifices of battle. An unnamed plane controlled by a robot

could be sent into the most dangerous skies in Iraq with no concern for its safety . . . if it

doesn't come back, you just order another one (Reed). Expendable robotic weapons allow for a

substitute in place of a real soldier as this method may reduce the likelihood of an increased

death rate among the military. In addition, utilizing expendable soldiers will provide the military
 Rau 4

with a second advantage of attaching additional equipment to the robot, such as a video camera,

rocket launcher or gun (Reed). Military officials can use a substitute robot to act as an agent of

the enemy and the soldier instead, or provide weapons to eliminate the enemy in secrecy. As a

result, expendable robots will prove to be highly efficient in war efforts as they assist soldiers

through these effective ways.

The cooperation between the military and Artificial Intelligence is proven to be effective

by eliminating human error. Because technological advancements are quickly evolving to be

precise and accurate in decision making, military tactics and procedures are also evolving and

competing to acquire the latest innovation of machinery. New robotic machinery now has the

capability to eliminate human error with an equipped real-time data and processor, which allow

for an immediate response and precision in strikes against the enemy (McGlynn). The

development of these autonomous robots is encouraging because of its new capability to

eliminate threats without the fear of direct conflict. Furthermore, the capability of the robots

independent tracking system will acquire the target without a need for human intervention in

districts that may not be safe. In fact, the new development of autonomous robotic weaponry will

allow for it to perform with minimal collateral damage in public regions where civilian casualties

may be at risk (McGlynn). Civilians wounded and killed in war is also a manifestation of human

error from soldiers in battle and can be prevented if robots were allowed to participate in the

direct assault. The difference in a favorable outcome of the war to a mass genocide of soldiers

and civilians can be determined from the decision to incorporate or exclude effective

autonomous robotic machinery.

 Rau 5

Artificial Intelligence and robots will nonetheless continue to be a controversial topic as

to whether these technological advances should be allowed in combat. However, both sides agree

that the capabilities of these innovations are a monumental breakthrough in technology and

should be celebrated in the community. Artificial Intelligence has become a necessity to mankind

and is an exceptional concept that is highly valued among civilization. With that said, both sides

also understand that the future of technology is inevitable, for it will continue to evolve and

realize the high potential in the military. One solution and compromise would be to restrict how

robotic machinery is performed in battle. Similar to the system of checks and balances, the

military leaders authority over the robots would be checked to a certain degree so that power is

never abused. Another solution would be to restrict the amount of control and freedom the

autonomous robot possesses on its own. To prevent any unnecessary casualties among men and

civilians, limit the robots independent tracking system so that the soldiers are in complete

control of all the actions. These limitations will provide a safer environment while allowing the

military to access all the advantages robotic weaponry can offer, therefore reducing the fear of

robotic warfare.
 Rau 6

Works Cited

McGlynn, Daniel. Robotic Warfare: Should Autonomous Military Weapons Be Banned?CQ

Researcher , CQ Press , 23 Jan. 2015,

library.cqpress.com.lscsproxy.lonestar.edu/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre20150

12300&type=hitlist&num=0. Accessed 26 June 2017.

Reed, Fred. Robotic Warfare Drawing Nearer. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale Cengage

Learning, 10 Feb. 2005,

ic.galegroup.com.lscsproxy.lonestar.edu/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?

disableHighlighting=false&displayGroupName=News&currPage. Accessed 26 June

2017.

Sharkey, Noel. The Ethical Frontier of Robotics. Science Online, ScienceMag, 6 Aug. 2012,

science.sciencemag.org.lscsproxy.lonestar.edu/content/sci/322/5909/1800.full.pdf?sid=33

ebd420-90e8-4c20-9bd4-8a75298f132d. Accessed 28 June 2017.

Underwood, Sarah. Potential and Peril. Communications of the ACM, Academic Search

Complete, 2 June 2016,

web.a.ebscohost.com.lscsproxy.lonestar.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&si

d=4511584c-1605-48fc-b81f-f7521e117fe3%40sessionmgr4008. Accessed 28

June 2017.
Rau 7
Rau 8