13-4-2016 Human control in the targeting process Human control in - PDF document

13-4-2016 Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting Focus and aims process • Focus : how human control is or could be exercised at the stage of Merel Ekelhof LL.M deployment and use of AWS, with a particular focus on the targeting VU University of Amsterdam process. The Netherlands • Aims : – Offer one way of looking at MHC and the use of AWS – Offer some context about weapons use in general. A Presentation at the UN CCW informal Meeting of Experts– 12 April 2016 Merel Ekelhof LL.M 1 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Joint Targeting Cycle The targeting process Commander’s intent, objectives and guidance • ‘Targeting’ is often associated with the actual use of force, lethal attack, Target kinetic action. Development and Assessment • But the targeting process is more than that. Prioritization “The process of selecting and prioritizing targets and matching the appropriate response to them, considering operational requirements and capabilities to create desired effects that achieve stated objectives.” US Doctrine Mission Planning Capabilities and Force analysis • Formalized in NATO doctrine (AJP-3.9 Joint Targeting) but also in national Execution military doctrines. Force planning and assignment Merel Ekelhof LL.M Merel Ekelhof LL.M 2 3 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Joint Targeting Cycle Joint Targeting Cycle Commander’s Commander’s intent, objectives intent, objectives and guidance and guidance Target Development and Prioritization Merel Ekelhof LL.M Merel Ekelhof LL.M 4 5 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1

13-4-2016 Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Joint Targeting Cycle Joint Targeting Cycle Commander’s Commander’s intent, objectives intent, objectives and guidance and guidance Target Target Development and Development and Prioritization Prioritization Capabilities Capabilities analysis analysis Force Planning and assignment Merel Ekelhof LL.M Merel Ekelhof LL.M 6 7 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Joint Targeting Cycle Joint Targeting Cycle Commander’s Commander’s intent, objectives intent, objectives and guidance and guidance Target Target Development and Development and Assessment Prioritization Prioritization Mission Planning Mission Planning Capabilities Capabilities and Force and Force analysis analysis Execution Execution Force planning Force planning and assignment and assignment Merel Ekelhof LL.M Merel Ekelhof LL.M 8 9 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Human control in the targeting process Key elements of MHC • Current examples of weapons that select and attack targets without • The concept of MHC is often explained as having key elements or human intervention (e.g. the Harpy) are to be analyzed to see how MHC components of human control, such as is understood and implemented in the targeting process today. – Limiting the geographical area – Limiting the time – Requirement for humans to make informed, conscious decisions • Even when these AWS execute the critical functions without human – Based on sufficient information about the applicable law, the target, the weapon, and the intervention, humans context. – formulate the overall goals, – gather intelligence, • The targeting process provides opportunities for humans to actually – select and develop targets, exercise these and other key elements or components of control in an organized and structured manner. – analyze and match the most suitable weapon, – decide under what circumstances and preconditions to employ a particular weapon. Merel Ekelhof LL.M Merel Ekelhof LL.M 10 11 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2

13-4-2016 Human control in the targeting process Conclusions • As no weapon operates in a vacuum, the targeting process is a process that should be considered when thinking about increasingly autonomous weapons and the manner through which humans can remain in control of them. • But that is not where the analysis should end: – Rapid technological advances may result in more complex AWS. The possibility of a machine-dominated targeting process should be taken seriously. – Besides the targeting process, other decision-making processes (e.g. design, validation and verification processes, Article 36) play a role in exercising human control over AWS. Human control in the targeting process Merel Ekelhof LL.M PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam The Netherlands Merel Ekelhof LL.M 12 PhD Researcher at the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3