Defense Exhibition Filled with AI Weapons... The Realization of 'Killer Robots' [AK Radio]

Israel, Target Generation AI, Focus on 'Hapsora'
Autonomous Weapon Systems Dominate KADEX Exhibition

Amid escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military's cutting-edge target generation artificial intelligence 'Habsora' is drawing attention. Habsora, meaning 'Gospel' in Hebrew, is an AI program that inputs data on targets the Israeli military aims to eliminate and backtracks location information captured by reconnaissance satellites or field cameras.

Recently, following Israeli airstrikes that are presumed to have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his likely successor Hashim Safieddine, Habsora's role has become highly prominent. Israel's disclosure of this AI system, which had been secretly developed, is interpreted as an attempt to demoralize enemy forces.

Killer robot in the movie Terminator [Image source=YouTube]

The exact operational method of Habsora remains a military secret, but experts speculate that the term refers not to a single program but to the entire command system. Its ability to process tens of thousands of target data and track locations in real time is expected to bring revolutionary changes to traditional military operation methods.

However, some raise the possibility that the Israeli military may have exaggerated its actual capabilities. Opinions suggest that only countries like the United States could currently build and operate an integrated command system at the disclosed level in real combat. Israel's announcement is analyzed as a strategic exaggeration aimed at deterring intervention from neighboring countries.

The development of AI-based weapon systems is accelerating not only in Israel but worldwide. At the recent 'International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX)' held in Korea, various AI-integrated weapon systems were showcased. Hyundai Rotem's multipurpose unmanned vehicle 'HR Sherpa,' Korean Air's unmanned squadron aircraft, and Hanwha Systems' synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites attracted attention.

On the 2nd, Hyundai Rotem's multipurpose unmanned vehicle was exhibited at the 'Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition' held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The advantages of such AI weapons include high accuracy, rapid decision-making capabilities, and the potential to minimize friendly casualties. However, ethical issues and difficulties in control are also raised as challenges.

The greatest concern regarding AI weapons is the potential emergence of 'killer robots.' AI weapon systems that autonomously select targets and execute attacks without human intervention could threaten civilians or cause unintended damage. Consequently, there is a growing call for international regulations on the development and operation of AI weapons.

Additionally, there are worries about large-scale damage caused by AI judgment errors or system hacking. Particularly, if control over nuclear weapons is transferred to AI, the risk of accidental nuclear war could increase. It is reported that representatives from the United States and China discussed this issue in Geneva, Switzerland, last May.

Another problem with AI weapon systems is the ambiguity of accountability. In traditional command structures, decision-making responsibility was clear, but when AI makes key decisions, it may be difficult to determine accountability. This could foster a culture of responsibility avoidance within military organizations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The advancement of AI weapon systems has the potential to fundamentally change the nature of warfare. If strategic confrontations occur between AIs, human intervention opportunities may diminish, and situations could deteriorate rapidly. This raises concerns about worst-case scenarios such as large-scale civilian casualties or nuclear war.

Despite these concerns, the competition to develop AI weapons is expected to accelerate further. Currently, the United States is evaluated as possessing the most advanced technology, with China, Russia, and India actively developing as well. Korea is assessed to have technology ranked around 5th or 6th globally. Notably, Korea's advantage lies in its large civilian conglomerates owning defense companies, enabling rapid transfer of civilian technology advancements to the military industry. This is expected to further accelerate Korea's AI weapon development pace.

The international community is seeking regulatory measures for the development and use of AI weapons. At a high-level military AI meeting held in Seoul last September, representatives from 96 countries participated to discuss this issue. However, due to sharply conflicting national interests, it is expected to take considerable time before effective agreements are reached.

The development of AI weapons demands a balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations. Finding ways to maximize the benefits of technological progress while ensuring humanity's safety will be a pressing task for the international community. The advent of the AI weapon era is becoming an unavoidable reality, and preparation and response are urgently needed.