In this episode we explore how drones have rapidly evolved from remotely piloted tools into increasingly autonomous systems that are reshaping modern warfare and national security. Professor Laura K. Donohue speaks to Phil Lockwood, former Head of Innovation at NATO and now Managing Director at Stark International, about the convergence of artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and uncrewed systems. Lockwood explains how drones are increasingly taking on “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks, discusses the spectrum from human-controlled to fully autonomous weapons, and how AI could become essential for navigation, target recognition, and counter-drone operations.
Could drones and artificial intelligence become the most ethical way to conduct combat operations? Is international law sufficient to govern AI-driven warfare and is a new international treaty needed around the proliferation and implementation of these systems? And who bears responsibility when autonomous systems make unexpected decisions. We look at these questions and much more, including the idea that the greatest near-term threat may not be super-intelligent machines, but the growing accessibility of inexpensive, highly capable drones that could be deployed at scale by both state and non-state actors, creating significant challenges for defending critical infrastructure and civilian populations.
