Brain in a Vat

Ethical Quandaries of Autonomous Weapon Systems | Afonso Seixas-Nunes


Listen Later

We speak with Father Afonso about the use of weapon systems

in warfare. The discussion explores a thought experiment involving two states
at war and the deployment of autonomous drones capable of targeting terrorists without
human intervention. Key topics include the legality and morality of such
systems, the potential for reducing civilian casualties, the challenge of
machine errors leading to war crimes, and the shifting responsibility in
decision-making from humans to machines. The conversation also addresses the
technological advances in AI, the issues of accountability and transparency
with autonomous systems, and the philosophical implications of removing human
judgment from warfare. We examine potential future scenarios where autonomous
weapons could be misused by non-state actors or influenced by automation bias,
raising critical questions about the control, ethics, and implications of
advanced AI in military and civilian contexts.


[00:00] Introduction to the Episode and Guest Co-Host Jimmy Mullen

[00:12] Exploring Autonomous Weapon Systems with Father Afonso

[00:55] The Ethical and Legal Quandaries of Autonomous Weapons

[03:01] The Evolution of Warfare and Technology's Role

[06:15] The Human Element in Modern Warfare and AI

[08:19] The Philosophical and Legal Challenges of Autonomous Weapons

[21:08] Addressing Accountability and the Future of AI in Warfare

[30:17] Defining AI and Its Legal Challenges

[31:05] The Future of AI and Moral Agency

[31:51] AI's Emotional Intelligence and Superintelligence

[32:50] Military Strategy and AI: A New Conscience?

[34:21] The Limitations of AI in Understanding Common Sense

[36:13] The Human Element in AI Development

[37:03] Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Essence of Humanity

[39:11] AI on the Battlefield: Efficiency vs. Ethics

[43:37] The Unpredictability of AI and Warfare

[50:45] AI's Role Beyond the Battlefield

[56:27] The Collective Mind and Autonomous Systems

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Brain in a VatBy Brain in a Vat

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

45 ratings


More shows like Brain in a Vat

View all
EconTalk by Russ Roberts

EconTalk

4,224 Listeners

Philosophy Bites by Edmonds and Warburton

Philosophy Bites

1,531 Listeners

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast by Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

2,090 Listeners

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps by Peter Adamson

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

1,588 Listeners

Closer To Truth by Closer To Truth

Closer To Truth

247 Listeners

In Our Time: Philosophy by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: Philosophy

863 Listeners

Robert Wright's Nonzero by Nonzero

Robert Wright's Nonzero

584 Listeners

Philosophize This! by Stephen West

Philosophize This!

15,063 Listeners

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,462 Listeners

Philosophy For Our Times by IAI

Philosophy For Our Times

304 Listeners

The Good Fight by Yascha Mounk

The Good Fight

893 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,136 Listeners

Quillette Podcast by Quillette

Quillette Podcast

806 Listeners

Within Reason by Alex J O'Connor

Within Reason

1,531 Listeners

Overthink by Ellie Anderson, Ph.D. and David Peña-Guzmán, Ph.D.

Overthink

417 Listeners