Purdue Symposium on Ethics, Technology
and the Future of War and Security

Introduction

As autonomous systems, ubiquitous sensors, artificial intelligence and other related technologies continue to emerge, this conference will explore the ethical, legal and social implications that arise as we contemplate their use in future wars. How far should these technologies be developed? Will technology make war more humane? How do we ensure that humans remain in the loop? Will our future enemy apply the same moral principles to this future war? What’s the legal framework that governs war between machines? The questions that arise are endless, and the answers complex. This symposium will bring together preeminent thought leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders from across government, industry and academia to address these questions and help us better understand and plan for the ethical and societal impacts of these new technologies.

The symposium will include a series of panel discussions designed to explore emerging technologies through the lens of their ethical, legal, and social implications, and their impact on the future of war and security. Panel topics include:

• The Future of War: Ethical, Legal and Social Implications
• The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in Warfare
• Global Perspectives on Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of the Future of War