New Podcast: West Point Dean discusses autonomous robots on the battlefield with Robotics and Law experts

By Maj. Renee Sanjuan USMA Associate Dean for Communications Date: Thursday, Sep 14, 2023 Time: 15:46 EST
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“We need cooperation and involvement to ensure our Soldiers are ready to fight the next war. We need the support of engineers, scientists and technologists to produce cutting-edge technology.” – Professor Hitoshi Nasu, Department of Law professor at the U.S. Military Academy.

 Tune into this episode of the “Inside West Point: Ideas That Impact” podcast at http://bit.ly/InsideWP_AI_Law.

As we launch West Point’s newest annual intellectual theme, “Innovation, Technology and the Future of National Defense,” join Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves in this fascinating discussion with Law Professor Hitoshi Nasu and now-retired Col. and robotics expert, Chris Korpela. 

In this episode, you will learn the following: 

  1. How do these Law and Robotics experts respond to the criticisms of autonomous weapons?

  2. How do seemingly disparate disciplines so naturally collaborate at West Point?

  3. How could autonomous systems be incorporated into warfare 20-30 years from now?

To clarify the complexities behind the integration of innovative technologies in warfare, Korpela explains the differences between artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomy. Additionally, Nasu describes their proposed approach to merging technological development and the law of land warfare. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these leaders who have experience as interdisciplinary academics and practitioners. Learn more about the guests’ thoughts on autonomous robots on the battlefield in their recent article at https://www.cfr.org/blog/stop-stop-killer-robot-debate-why-we-need-artificial-intelligence-future-battlefields.

Join Reeves each month as he takes you behind the scenes to explore the applied research and cross-disciplinary work being done by the academy’s scholars. From high-energy lasers and autonomous robots to civil-military relations and ethics, “Inside West Point” goes beyond the textbook to give you a deeper understanding of the complex issues shaping the modern battlefield. Hear directly from the experts as they make even the most complex topics accessible to a broad audience.

You can find the “Ideas that Impact” podcast, as well as several other podcasts produced by West Point, at https://westpointpress.com/podcasts or on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify and Podchaser (Inside West Point: Ideas that Impact). You can also follow on Instagram (@dean.usma), Facebook (Dean of the Academic Board-West Point), Threads (@dean.usma) and X (@DeanUSMA) for updates.

Learn more about the West Point Academic Program at https://www.westpoint.edu/academics.