A renewed global arms race is accelerating private sector–driven innovation around lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), sometimes referred to as “killer robots.” Unfolding in parallel are complex and intertwined dynamics tied to a surge in geopolitical hostility, mass migration and ecological collapse. The convergence of these factors is intensifying concerns around how to safeguard national sovereignty. One possible outcome is that states harness LAWS for border enforcement, prompting scenarios where individuals are targeted, rightly or wrongly, and subject to a potentially deadly attack by intelligent weapons, accidentally or on purpose, all under the guise of national security. Key to avoiding this will be forcing transparency around the use of LAWS in border operations. Policy makers must also collaborate on better forecasting and preparing for how climate change will alter regional and global migration patterns.
