Moral Responsibility and Accountability in Autonomous Weapons Systems: Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Challenges

Abstract

Abstract: This paper critically examines the complex moral and legal issues surrounding the deployment of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). As AI-powered systems increasingly participate in decision-making during warfare, traditional notions of responsibility and accountability face unprecedented challenges. The analysis focuses on three central aspects: ethical dilemmas arising from machine-driven lethal decisions, the question of who is accountable for errors or war crimes, and the compliance of these systems with international humanitarian law (IHL). Using interdisciplinary perspectives from law, philosophy, and AI ethics, this paper provides insights into how policymakers, technologists, and military strategists can navigate the evolving landscape of autonomy in combat systems. The paper concludes by proposing policy and governance recommendations for responsible development and deployment of LAWS.

Keywords: Autonomous Weapons Systems, AI Ethics, Responsibility Attribution, War Crimes, International Humanitarian Law, Lethal Autonomy, Combat AI, Accountability Frameworks