Self-directing killer drones are the arms industry's latest horror invention

Posted: 1st November 2025

Self-directing killer drones are the arms industry’s latest horror invention
—picking up where landmines dropped off.

UN talks in New York right now could lead to a ban, but they need a boost of
public support.

Tell all governments to urgently negotiate a ban on autonomous weapon
systems.

Sign the petition
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736605?t=10&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ> 

Mark,

Swarms of AI-powered drones that pick who to kill are already invading the
skies over Ukraine. Unconscious, unaccountable… They’re like flying
landmines that kill and maim with impunity. 

The usual suspects oppose new international law on autonomous weapons
systems (AWS), like they opposed banning landmines too. But UN talks in New
York are underway right now, with momentum for a ban treaty building among
states from all corners of the globe.

Let’s support the tireless work that human rights campaigners and diplomats
are doing on the ground, and counter the merchants of war. When we get to
100,000 signatures, we’ll deliver the petition in New York.

Tell all government leaders: launch negotiations for a treaty to ban
autonomous weapon systems.
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736605?t=2&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ> 

AI warfare makes the world a far more dangerous place. For one, replacing
soldiers with AI-powered drones makes it easier for governments to choose to
go to war. It also encourages governments and corporations to keep mining
our personal data, scanning all our photos, phone calls and social media…
reducing us to objects, stereotypes, and data points for killer robots to
some day “delete” at will.

Advocates say AWS can boost military precision and efficiency. But military
spending is through the roof, so any efficiency gains (if you can believe
them!) are just fueling more warfare, not peace and human security. Their
“military precision” claims hold no water either – and if anything, AI only
increases the risks posed by nuclear weapons, by compress decision-making
timelines and increasing miscalculation risks.

Machines can’t make complex ethical choices, and can never be held to
account. People must.

Tell all government leaders: launch negotiations for a treaty to ensure
human control in the use of force and to prohibit machines that target
people.
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736605?t=3&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ> 

An amazing coalition of NGOs, academics and activists has been pushing for a
binding treaty for years. The UN General Assembly First Committee on
Disarmament and International Security began its 80th session on October 8,
which will continue until November 7. The Committee will take action on
resolutions towards the end of its session, so we have only days to
influence them.

Let’s show them we want a binding treaty – not killer robots and endless
wars.

<https://act.sumofus.org/o.gif?akid=154467.23315934.a4lFiQ> 

Sign the petition
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736605?t=11&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ> 

Thanks for all that you do,
Eoin and the team at Ekō


More information:

How Big Tech and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Military-Industrial
Complex
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736606?t=16&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ>
The Watson School of International and Public Affairs 17 April 2024 Problems
with autonomous weapons
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736607?t=17&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ>
Stop Killer Robots
Killing machines: how Russia and Ukraine’s race to perfect deadly pilotless
drones could harm us all
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/736608?t=18&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ>
The Guardian 25 June 2025
Cross-regional group of states ready to start treaty negotiations on
autonomous weapons
<https://act.sumofus.org/go/738036?t=19&akid=154467%2E23315934%2Ea4lFiQ>
Stop Killer Robots 09 September 2025







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