International organisations have also raised concerns. A United Nations report last year highlighted risks associated with Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, described as “killer robots”, which use AI to identify and engage targets without direct human control…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Experts have pointed to the growing use of AI in generating deepfakes, impersonation content, and automated influence campaigns, which can be used to manipulate public opinion or facilitate identity theft. There are also concerns about its role in developing autonomous weapons systems capable of making targeting decisions without human intervention.
A study from the University of South Carolina, cited in reports, suggested AI agents may be capable of coordinating disinformation campaigns without direct human guidance and potentially in ways that evade human detection. Researchers have warned this could have significant implications for democracy, trust and online safety.
International organisations have also raised concerns. A United Nations report last year highlighted risks associated with Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, described as “killer robots”, which use AI to identify and engage targets without direct human control. The report also warned about the potential development of autonomous drone swarms and their destabilising effects on conflict scenarios.
Academic discussions, including those hosted by Harvard Medical School, have similarly warned that integrating AI into weapons design could enhance precision but also lower the threshold for conflict and create accountability gaps if machines make lethal decisions.
Global efforts to regulate AI are ongoing. India was among 29 countries that attended the AI Safety Summit in the United Kingdom in November 2023, where the Bletchley Declaration was adopted, focusing on safe and responsible development of advanced AI systems.
The United Nations General Assembly also adopted a resolution last year promoting “safe, secure and trustworthy” AI systems, reflecting growing international consensus on the need for oversight.
Film director James Cameron has also previously warned about the risks of AI integration in weapons systems, including nuclear-related infrastructure, drawing parallels with the fictional Skynet scenario from The Terminator.
As AI continues to expand across industries, experts say the challenge lies in balancing innovation with safeguards. The debate now centres on whether regulatory systems can evolve quickly enough to manage increasingly autonomous technologies before they outpace human oversight.
