Human dignity at risk: the impact of Autonomous Weapons Systems on Human Rights

This dissertation explores the impact of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) on international law and human rights, with a focus on their implications on human dignity. AWS, sometimes referred to as the “third revolution in warfare,” shift decision-making in life-and-death scenarios from humans to machines and, while they offer potential benefits - such as increased efficiency and reduced risk to human operators - they severely challenge fundamental human rights and ethical principles. Key human rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to non-discrimination, are particularly vulnerable to the operational flaws of AWS. Their reliance on algorithms prone to bias and errors raises serious concerns about the disproportionate targeting of marginalized groups and failures in distinguishing civilians from combatants. Moreover, the accountability gap created by the autonomous nature of AWS threatens to erode mechanisms for justice, leaving victims without the possibility of justice and states without clear lines of responsibility. With this in mind, this dissertation argues for urgently establishing an international legal framework to govern AWS, emphasizing the necessity of meaningful human control to uphold human dignity and ensure compliance with human rights standards. By prioritizing ethical responsibility alongside technological advancement, it contributes to the global discourse on AWS, advocating for a future where innovation serves humanity without compromising its fundamental values.