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U.S. and Russia blocking progress on ‘killer robot’ ban at UN, group says

Click to play video: 'UN hosts ‘killer robots’ panel to examine the future of warfare'
UN hosts ‘killer robots’ panel to examine the future of warfare
WATCH ABOVE: The UN hosted a panel of experts as they looked at the role "killer robots" might play in future warfare – Aug 27, 2018

A key opponent of high-tech, automated weapons known as “killer robots” is blaming countries like the U.S. and Russia for blocking consensus at a UN-backed conference, where most countries wanted to ensure that humans stay at the controls of lethal machines.

Coordinator Mary Wareham of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots spoke Monday after experts from dozens of countries agreed before dawn Saturday at the UN in Geneva on 10 “possible guiding principles” about such “Lethal Automated Weapons Systems.”

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WATCH BELOW: Should Canada ban killer robots?

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Should Canada ban killer robots?

Point 2 said: “Human responsibility for decisions on the use of weapons systems must be retained since accountability cannot be transferred to machines.”

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Wareham said such language wasn’t binding, adding that “it’s time to start laying down some rules now.”

Members of the LAWS conference will meet again in November.

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