Institute of International Studies UGM

Stop Killer Robots

Introduction

With the growing dependence of technology, our lives are becoming increasingly automated, and automated system can be found anywhere civilian to military use. The term “Killer Robots” itself refers to automated weapon system of the military around the world that becoming more and more autonomous, and can be deployed in a conflict without minimum or any human interference. This, will result in a technologically advanced weapons, but prone to risk of target misidentification and can lead to loss of unnecessary civilian’s lives during conflict.

Therefore, autonomy in technology needs regulation because governments and companies are developing weapons that automate the decision to use force. We need to push forward and pursue the international law that not only regulates the use of such weapons.

Institute of International Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada is an active campaigner and partner of Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, and already participated 2 periods of campaigns (2019-2020 and 2020-2021).

The Objectives

Through the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, there are three specific outcomes that are expected:

1. The formulation of a clear national in support of the ban on autonomous weapons.
2. The creation of a like-minded civil society network who share the concern on the issue of autonomous weapons.
3. More awareness from the public on the dangers of killer robots.

The main goal of the campaign is to pursue new international law that regulated and ban the usage of Killer Robots in any form of conflict, to avoid the risks of target misidentification and the loss of civilian lives.

Our activities

Primer

A primer is an introductory book aimed to educate and clarify the issue of LAWS to the stakeholders and public. The primer - written in Bahasa Indonesia was published and laid as a basis of advocacy towards stakeholders.

Round Table Discussion

A national meeting is conducted in a form of forum group discussion with stakeholders and policy makers to state an urgency and help shape Indonesia’s position on the issue of LAWS.

Coffee Talk on Killer Robots

Semi-formal talk show inviting relevant speakers from academics, ICRC, and roboticists, that was held in the Digital Library café. The objective is to inform and educate the public about the dangers of autonomous weapons and issues surrounding it.

Visit to PT DI

IIS UGM visit the headquarter of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) to discuss about technology, prospects and danger of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Social Media Campaign

A campaign that emphasises the infographic content containing brief information about LAWS and the issues surrounding it posted on IIS' social media. The main target is social media users to raise their awareness on the issue.

IIS Commentaries

In collaboratioin with 'Podcast Hubungan Internasional UGM', IIS UGM talked with an experts in regards to the LAWS issue.