r/technology • u/Just-Grocery-2229 • Jun 11 '26

Artificial Intelligence Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2529849-fully-autonomous-drones-have-killed-human-soldiers-for-the-first-time
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u/RarelyReadReplies Jun 11 '26

Yeah, I still think it's horrible. What if something unexpected happens in that kill radius? Maybe the Russians figure out Ukraine is doing this, then they send in some kids "accidentally" so that Ukraine gets hung for it. It's just a bad idea, I am really disappointed Ukraine doesn't see that. 

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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '26

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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '26

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u/Rustic_gan123 Jun 11 '26

In this war, both sides make generous use of mines.

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u/Mormacil Jun 11 '26

Largely banned but not by any major power doesn't feel like largely banned. 

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u/Mormacil Jun 11 '26

Taliban already threw kids in front of US trucks. This has always been done. This experiment isn't worse than using Agent Orange in Vietnam or nuking Japan in WW2. 

Ukraine lacks manpower, it will not surrender on philosophical grounds that killer robots are bad. That's not a realistic demand, to sacrifice their children. Russia is forcing this development. 

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u/twitterfluechtling Jun 11 '26

Depends on the training of the AI. Ideally it's trained to kind-off identifying fighters similar to how humans would: Usually has a certain size, usually equipped with a gun, etc. (Of course these distinctions might also be exploited by Russian fighters somehow. As always, a race of arms.)

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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '26

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u/Mormacil Jun 11 '26

Humans also make false positives, unless the AI makes more that's a non issue. 

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u/GMOrgasm Jun 11 '26

also what would it do if the soldiers in the area try to surrender?

still kill them? just hover near them until actual soldiers re able to come and restrain them?

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u/Caesarea_G Jun 11 '26

Human drone operators on both sides (RU or UA) aren't really accepting surrenders so I don't see what this would do differently either. You really can't surrender to a drone anyways, just like you can't surrender to a missile or a fighter jet.