Daily Archives: April 13, 2015

UN told to ban killer robots before they become a reality

Posted: April 13, 2015 at 11:41 am

Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law Schools International Human Rights Clinic have a strong and eye-catching message for the U.N.: Ban killer robots. The two groups take up the cause against fully autonomous weapons in a 38-page report released ahead of an international meeting about said weapons starting April 13.

Fully autonomous weapons, also known as killer robots, raise serious moral and legal concerns because they would possess the ability to select and engage their targets without meaningful human control, begins the report, titled Mind the Gap: The Lack of Accountability for Killer Robots. Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law School lay out a list of concerns about fully autonomous weapons, including doubts about their ability to distinguish civilian from military targets, the possibility of an arms race, and proliferation to militaries with little regard for the law.

Related:DT Debates: Should robots be held to a human moral compass?

All of those concerns are compounded by the accountability gap for unlawful harm caused by fully autonomous weapons, according to the report. Under current laws, parties associated with the use or production of killer robots (e.g., operators, commanders, programmers, manufacturers) would not be held liable in the case of harm caused by the robots. The ultimate solution proposed by the report is to adopt an international ban on fully autonomous weapons.

On Monday, a weeklong international meeting about autonomous weapons systems will take place at the U.N. in Geneva. The agenda will cover additions to The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Also known as the inhumane weapons convention, the treaty has been regularly reinforced by new protocols on emerging military technology, according to The Guardian. Blinding laser weapons were pre-emptively outlawed in 1995 and combatant nations since 2006 have been required to remove unexploded cluster bombs.

The paper is an early discussion of a hypothetical future world, and the authors of the paper admit as much: Fully autonomous weapons do not yet exist, but technology is moving in their direction, and precursors are already in use or development. The examples listed in the paper all respond to threats automatically, putting them a step beyond drones, which require a human to control it from a remote location.

Related:Robot uprising? Cambridge University team to assess threat posed by AI

No accountability means no deterrence of future crimes, no retribution for victims, no social condemnation of the responsible party, said Bonnie Docherty, senior Arms Division researcher at Human Rights Watch and the reports lead author. The many obstacles to justice for potential victims show why we urgently need to ban fully autonomous weapons.

In November 2013, an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal co-authored by two professors disputed the notion that fully autonomous weapons need to be banned. Malicious actors already disposed to abusing such weapons would not respect a ban, argued Kenneth Anderson and Matthew Waxman. Moreover, because the automation of weapons will happen gradually, it would be nearly impossible to design or enforce such a ban.

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Track Of The Day 13/4 – Van Hunt

Posted: at 11:40 am

Van Hunt knows how to stretch.

A multi-talented, multi-disciplined musician and producer, the Ohio native already has a Grammy award lingering on his mantelpiece.

Continuing to challenge himself, new solo record 'The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets' is due to be released shortly.

It's another slice of flamboyant Afro-futurism, with shades of Prince in its luscious, future-minded funk. The material is at times reminiscent of Andre 3000 less in sound, more in approach as Van Hunt strives to push back boundaries.

Taken from the new album, 'Teach Me A New Language' is like a living cell continually sub-dividing and growing outward, the sighing, gospel-tinged vocals and fluid guitar lines mingle to produce something intoxicating.

Check it out now.

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Virtual Reality Can Change The Hospital Experience – The Medical Futurist – Video

Posted: at 11:40 am


Virtual Reality Can Change The Hospital Experience - The Medical Futurist
How the Oculus Rift, Sony Morpheus or Google Cardboard could change the whole healthcare experience for physicians and patients with virtual reality. Examples, applications and ideas for the...

By: The Medical Futurist

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Virtual Reality Can Change The Hospital Experience - The Medical Futurist - Video

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Rackspace’s futurist visits Maker Media lab (Make Magazine in 360-degrees) – Video

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Rackspace #39;s futurist visits Maker Media lab (Make Magazine in 360-degrees)
I take my 360 camera to visit Make Magazine #39;s visual lab, which is inside the Innovation Hangar. Here you see the editor #39;s passions for drones, 3D printing, robots, and more. Learn more about...

By: Robert Scoble

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Rackspace's futurist visits Maker Media lab (Make Magazine in 360-degrees) - Video

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Rohit Talwar (Futurist, Strategic Advisor & Author) at WebTomorrow 2015 in Ghent, Belgium – Video

Posted: at 11:40 am


Rohit Talwar (Futurist, Strategic Advisor Author) at WebTomorrow 2015 in Ghent, Belgium
Which Opportunities Could The Digital Future Bring For Your Business? - KEYNOTE Rohit Talwar (UK) - CEO, Fast Future Research - Futurist, Strategic Advisor Author In this talk, global futurist...

By: Bloovi

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Rohit Talwar (Futurist, Strategic Advisor & Author) at WebTomorrow 2015 in Ghent, Belgium - Video

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William Higham – Consumer Trends Futurist and Keynote Speaker – Video

Posted: at 11:40 am


William Higham - Consumer Trends Futurist and Keynote Speaker
William Higham is a consumer futurist, consultant, author and keynote speaker. William #39;s mission is to help brands monetise new consumer trends by demystifying the forecasting process and...

By: Gordon Poole Agency

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William Higham - Consumer Trends Futurist and Keynote Speaker - Video

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Futurist Jack Uldrich: Yesterdays Lessons, Todays Visions, Tomorrows Reality

Posted: at 11:40 am

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 13, 2015

Today, April 13th, Industrial futurist Jack Uldrich is slated to keynote Stiles Executive Briefing Conference. The conference which will "provide decision makers with the knowledge, strategies and attitude necessary for success in today's manufacturing world" opened yesterday and will run through Tuesday, April 14th.

Uldrich, playing with Stiles' theme of Be part of the vision by helping to create "whats next" will deliver a custom designed keynote address: Yesterdays Lessons, Todays Visions, Tomorrows Reality.

His call and response to his audiences is: "What will the world of tomorrow look like? The time to start thinking about this is now."

In his article, 3D Manufacturing is Out of This World - Literally Uldrich touches on just how far 3D printing will take the world of manufacturing, and that, he says is out of this world and into outer space. Additionally he says, "Another out of this world concept is that a little over five years ago, a 3D printera device that can manufacture physical objectscost $100,000. Today, similar printers are available for $1000 and are poised to revolutionize the world of manufacturing."

Uldrich travels the world speaking on future trends, emerging technologies, innovation change management and leadership. His manufacturing clients include the PMA, Siemens, the IBD, and PMMI. Other leading clients include Verizon Wireless, ABB/Thomas and Betts and Emerson.

Jack is a best-selling author and frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC and NPR. He is highly regarded for his unique ability to present complex information in an entertaining, understandable and digestible manner. Following his keynote at EBC, this week he will present to BCBS of North Carolina in Raleigh, Foth & Van Dyke in Green Bay and the North Carolina Association of Coops in also in Raleigh, NC.

Parties interested in learning more about him, his books, his daily blog or his speaking availability are encouraged to visit his website. Media wishing to know more about either the event or interviewing Jack as a futurist or trend expert can contact Amy Tomczyk at (651) 343.0660.

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Futurist Jack Uldrich: Yesterdays Lessons, Todays Visions, Tomorrows Reality

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