Autonomous Weapons Systems for Policing - A Jewish Ethical Perspective

Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) are being developed around the world to improve national security both externally and internally. But allowing machines - incapable of recognizing the inherent worth of a human being - to take the life of human beings is to treat humans as objects and thus violate their dignity. Drawing from Jewish legal sources, this paper contends that, while human dignity is an important value, the values of societal harmony and preservation of life take precedence. Consequently, agencies tasked with safeguarding national security, whether military or police, need not be restrained by concerns over potential indignities AWS may impose.