Robotic Revolution Opens New Front for Homeland Security

Robotic Revolution Opens New Front for Homeland Security
A soldier places simulated explosives in the hand of a Talon explosive ordinance disposal robot, Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 20, 2013 (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Edwards).

The U.S. military faces shrinking budgets, but its global commitments remain expansive. One response to this ends-means gap has been a growing interest in robotics, with the hope that this technology can be a force multiplier that allows military units to perform missions with fewer humans. And the United States is not alone: At least 43 countries have active programs to explore military robotics.

Military robots are already performing repetitive tasks like moving supplies and loading cargo, as well as particularly dangerous missions like evacuating casualties under fire, disabling explosive devices and collecting information in hostile environments. All experts agree that their utility will continue to expand at an increased pace. Someday soon the U.S. military may use robots to provide 24-hour, long-term security with a limited troop presence following a conflict or natural disaster. Robots might also be used to provide early warning and help deter aggression that falls below the threshold of a conventional military response.

But the drive for military robots also has potential dangers and risks. The greatest concern of activists and experts at this point is that militaries might someday develop “killer robots” that are used against humans. Like the Arnold Schwarzenegger character in the Terminator movies, killer robots might make life-or-death decisions guided only by algorithms written by their programmers. Eventually they may even learn to make lethal decisions totally on their own.

Keep reading for free!

Get instant access to the rest of this article by submitting your email address below. You'll also get access to three articles of your choice each month and our free newsletter:

Or, Subscribe now to get full access.

Already a subscriber? Log in here .

What you’ll get with an All-Access subscription to World Politics Review:

A WPR subscription is like no other resource — it’s like having a personal curator and expert analyst of global affairs news. Subscribe now, and you’ll get:

  • Immediate and instant access to the full searchable library of tens of thousands of articles.
  • Daily articles with original analysis, written by leading topic experts, delivered to you every weekday.
  • Regular in-depth articles with deep dives into important issues and countries.
  • The Daily Review email, with our take on the day’s most important news, the latest WPR analysis, what’s on our radar, and more.
  • The Weekly Review email, with quick summaries of the week’s most important coverage, and what’s to come.
  • Completely ad-free reading.

And all of this is available to you when you subscribe today.

More World Politics Review