Ottawa’s Killer Robot Problem
Summary
Host Sam Connard investigates lethal autonomous weapons at Canada’s CANSEC defense expo, interviewing experts like Randy Goebel and Jason Miller on the ethics of "killer robots." The episode explores the lack of clear definitions for autonomy, Canada’s cautious diplomatic stance, and the moral implications of removing humans from the kill chain. It contrasts current military tech with historical precedents to argue for stronger international norms and meaningful human control in warfare.
Topics discussed
Intro, live show announcement, and sponsor reads
Reporting from CANSEC: The rise of military AI
Defining lethal autonomous weapons and current usage
The spectrum of autonomy and international regulations
Canada's diplomatic stance on autonomous weapons
Sponsor read: Squarespace
Interviews with defense contractors Talos and Saab
Sweden's approach to AI in defense and human oversight
Historical case study: Stanislav Petrov and false alarms
Sponsor reads: Together for Venezuela and Slow Burn
Expert analysis on meaningful human control and norms
The arms race dilemma and Canada's future policy
Outro, next episode preview, and supporter thanks
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