Autonomous weapons systems are no longer the stuff of science fiction — they're reshaping the battlefield in real time. From loitering munitions with AI visual identification to defensive systems that operate without human input, the future of warfare is autonomous, intelligent, and deeply controversial.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Debates, we ask the hard questions: Should the world impose a preventative ban on “killer robots”? Or are autonomous weapons a necessary innovation in modern military strategy? We explore the legal, ethical, and strategic challenges these systems present, spotlight the global power race driving their development, and break down the efforts of advocacy groups like Stop Killer Robots in pushing for meaningful human control.

Tune in as we dissect competing narratives, from the UN debates and arms control history to the real-world battlefield uses in Ukraine, South Korea, and beyond.

Key themes:

• The military AI arms race: US, China, Russia, and emerging powers

• The "Stop Killer Robots" campaign’s evolving strategies

• Ethical dilemmas: Can machines make life-or-death decisions?

• Legal frameworks, international law, and accountability gaps

• The line between innovation and escalation

Listen now and join the debate on whether we should halt the rise of autonomous weapons—or lead the charge.