124 6 CHAPTER 6 6.1 CONCEPTUAL INVESTIGATION PHASE In the conceptual investigation phase first the delineation of the values accountability and responsibility and a theoretical view on the concept of Human Oversight for Autonomous Weapon Systems are described. Next, a framework for Comprehensive Human Oversight is designed to give an overview of the control mechanisms and show the gaps that emerge when introducing Autonomous Weapon Systems. The answer to the first part of the question: Q1 What are Autonomous Weapon Systems…? is that Autonomous Weapons Systems are ‘A weapon that, without human intervention, selects and engages targets matching certain predefined criteria, following a human decision to deploy the weapon on the understanding that an attack, once launched, cannot be stopped by human intervention.’(AIV & CAVV, 2015, p. 11; Broeks et al., 2021, p. 11). In our opinion this definition of the ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (AIV & CAVV) captures the description of Autonomous Weapon Systems best from an engineering and military standpoint, because it takes predefined criteria into account and is linked to the military targeting process as the weapon will only be deployed after a human decision. To answer the second part of the question … and how are the values of accountability and responsibility related to the concerns for the deployment of Autonomous Weapon Systems? we have identified several concerns that are mentioned in the societal and academic debate on Autonomous Weapon Systems. Next to security risks and unpredictable activities, the impact on human dignity and the emergence of an accountability gap are mentioned as concerns with the use of Autonomous Weapon Systems. The alleged offence to human dignity entailed in delegating life-or-death decision-making to a machine is linked to the value of human life. Also, many scholars express concerns that an accountability gap or accountability vacuum will emerge when Autonomous Weapon Systems are deployed. An accountability gap or vacuum arises when no human can be held accountable for the decisions, actions and effects of Autonomous Weapon Systems (Matthias 2004; Asaro 2012; Asaro 2016; Crootof 2015; Dickinson 2018; Horowitz and Scharre 2015; Wagner 2014; Sparrow 2016; Roff 2013; Galliott 2015).
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