In your opinion how autonomous weapons are different from conventional weapons ?

 

Autonomous weapons differ from conventional weapons primarily in their decision-making capability and level of human intervention. Here’s a breakdown of key differences:

1. Decision-Making & Human Control

• Autonomous Weapons: These systems can identify, track, and engage targets without direct human intervention, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Examples include AI-powered drones, loitering munitions, and robotic combat systems.
• Conventional Weapons: Require human control at every stage—target acquisition, decision-making, and engagement. Examples include rifles, tanks, and manually controlled missiles.

2. Speed of Engagement

• Autonomous Weapons: Can react much faster than humans, making them highly effective in high-speed combat environments, like missile defense or swarm drone attacks.
• Conventional Weapons: Limited by human reflexes and decision-making, which can introduce delays in engagement.

3. Adaptability & Learning

• Autonomous Weapons: Can adapt in real time based on battlefield data, using AI to optimize strategies.
• Conventional Weapons: Do not have self-learning capabilities; their effectiveness depends on human strategy and training.

4. Ethical & Legal Concerns

• Autonomous Weapons: Raise concerns about accountability, as machines make life-or-death decisions. There is also the risk of unintended engagements or escalation in conflicts.
• Conventional Weapons: Responsibility remains with human operators, making accountability more straightforward.

5. Vulnerability to Cyber Attacks

• Autonomous Weapons: Highly susceptible to hacking, electronic warfare, and AI manipulation, which could turn them against friendly forces.
• Conventional Weapons: Less vulnerable to cyber threats, though modern digital components can still be compromised.

6. Psychological & Strategic Impact

• Autonomous Weapons: Could lower the threshold for war, as decision-makers may deploy them more easily without risking soldiers' lives.
• Conventional Weapons: The human cost of war acts as a deterrent, influencing strategic decisions.