San Francisco officials rethink use of ‘killer robots’

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has reversed course on permitting police to use ‘killer robots’ as a last resort during the apprehension of suspects.

We just stopped the use of killer robots robots in SF. Complete reversal from last week. Common sense prevailed.

— Hillary Ronen (@HillaryRonen) December 6, 2022

During the second meeting on approving a new policy for law enforcement, a majority voted to institute an outright ban on the use of deadly force by machines.

The Board also sent the original document back for revision. The Rules Committee can now amend it to tighten the rules governing the use of robots or to remove this possibility altogether.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the council’s decision is somewhat unusual. More often, the second meeting is a formality that reiterates the results of the first vote.

The San Francisco Police Department inserted a paragraph about the use of ‘killer robots’ after California state law requiring authorities to specify the military hardware they may use. This would allow police to arm robots with explosives to ‘contact, incapacitate or disorient’ aggressive, armed or dangerous suspects.

Robots could be used for deadly force only after all other options have been exhausted. Its deployment would require approval from a senior official.

However, critics are concerned that machines could be abused. One board member, Dean Preston stated, that this policy ‘will put Black people and people of color in disproportionately greater danger of harm’.

He notes that in 2021 police killed more people than in any other year on record nationwide.

“We must work to reduce the use of force by local law enforcement, not give them new tools”, Preston said.

Earlier this month, the city approved a new policy for law enforcement allowing the use of ‘killer robots’ in emergencies.

In November, the San Francisco Police Department developed a new policy, which would give machines the ability to neutralize suspects.

In October, the Netherlands became the first NATO country to launch testing of autonomous ‘killer robots’.

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