War-Algorithm Accountability
Dustin A. Lewis, Gabriella Blum, and Naz K. Modirzadeh

TL;DR
This paper introduces the concept of war algorithms, emphasizing their role in autonomous decision-making in armed conflict and exploring how international law can regulate these technologies.
Contribution
It defines war algorithms, links them to legal accountability, and proposes a framework for their regulation within international law.
Findings
War algorithms are central to autonomous military systems.
Existing international law can be adapted to regulate war algorithms.
A three-part accountability approach is proposed.
Abstract
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 through a constructed system, and that is capable of operating in relation to armed conflict. In introducing this concept, our foundational technological concern is the capability of a constructed system, without further human intervention, to help make and effectuate a decision or choice of a war algorithm. Distilled, the two core ingredients are an algorithm expressed in computer code and a suitably capable constructed system. Through that lens, we link international law and related…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAdversarial Robustness in Machine Learning · Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare Studies · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
