HarmonyVote

Initiative Title: International Ban on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) Act

Description:

1. Definition and Scope:
   Clearly define LAWS as weapons systems capable of selecting and engaging targets without direct human input. This includes ground, air, sea, and space-based systems with lethal capabilities.

2. International Legal Ban:
   Urge the United Nations to negotiate a binding treaty prohibiting the development, testing, deployment, and transfer of LAWS. This includes both state and non-state actors.

3. Prohibition on Research Funding:
   Ban public and private investment into the development of fully autonomous weapons that can apply lethal force independently. Redirect funds toward AI for peaceful and humanitarian purposes.

4. Mandatory Human Oversight Clause:
   All weapons systems must retain meaningful human control in critical functions such as target selection and engagement. Systems failing to meet this standard shall be prohibited.

5. Accountability and Attribution Measures:
   Require states and companies to implement traceability frameworks ensuring human responsibility for any action taken by autonomous systems in armed conflict.

6. Global Monitoring and Compliance Body:
   Establish an international body tasked with monitoring compliance, investigating violations, and providing technical assistance to transition away from LAWS.

7. Export Control and Sanctions:
   Enforce strict export bans on AI technologies designed for LAWS use. Impose penalties and trade sanctions on entities or governments found to be in violation.

8. Public Awareness and Diplomacy Campaigns:
   Launch global advocacy campaigns to inform citizens and policymakers about the risks of killer robots, mobilize civil society, and build momentum for international action.

Possible Outcomes and Implications:

• Preservation of Human Dignity: Ensures life-or-death decisions remain under human judgment and moral accountability.
• Enhanced Global Stability: Reduces arms race dynamics and prevents the proliferation of unpredictable battlefield technologies.
• Compliance with International Humanitarian Law: Upholds principles of distinction, proportionality, and accountability in armed conflict.
• Ethical Use of AI: Redirects AI advancement toward beneficial applications like peacekeeping, disaster response, and healthcare.
• Prevention of Atrocity Crimes: Mitigates risks of extrajudicial killings, accidental escalations, and untraceable war crimes.

Votes: