History has witnessed the many surprises that technology has created in the battlefield. However, not only can technology blind the fighters but also throw policy makers off guard. When establishing policies in multilateral forums, keeping step with technology has become more challenging; patience is required to build common ground and consensus.

In recent years, technology fusion has begun emerging, creating new applications in both civilian and military domains, especially in the field of the previously unfathomable artificial intelligence. With easier access to computing power, massive data generated by networking equipment, and lower cost of data storage and operation, AI is no longer esoteric knowledge discussed in obscure meetings but frequently seen in newspaper headlines and heard in speeches of leaders.The combination of machine learning, big data sets and AI learning has enabled machines to take over tasks that previously only human brains can handle.

We need to work harder to prevent armed conflicts that violate the obligations of international humanitarian law, security dilemma resulting from arms race, and harm to civilians and combat personnel from lowering the threshold for legitimate use of force.In view of the characteristics of different regions, ICRAC has set up branches in various hot-spot regions to promote the development of regional organizations. This website is established by the ICRAC East Asia branch and the Voice of Freedom in Francewith the aim of drawing public attention to potential armed conflicts in various regions and support the prohibition of the development of robotic weapons.

This campaign was initiated by an international alliance of 45 non-governmental organizations from 22 countries on April 23, 2013, in London. It calls for the full-scale prohibition on the use of autonomous weapons, which can choose their targets of attack without human intervention. This ban should be made possible by international conventions and national laws and other measures, manifesting the principle that the decision to use violence on humans must ultimately be made by humans.

The campaign to stop killer robots is led by a steering committee of five NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, ICRAC, Nobel Women’s Initiative, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.