
A new directive on autonomy in weapons systems issued on January 25, 2023 shows the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is serious about ensuring it has policies and processes in place to guide its development, acquisition, testing, fielding, and use of autonomous weapons systems as well as semi-autonomous weapons systems, such as remotely operated armed drones. The directive, however, constitutes an inadequate response to the serious ethical, legal, accountability, and security concerns and risks raised by autonomous weapons systems.