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Digital Activists: Youth Advocacy in the Age of Autonomous Weapons

In a world where warfare technology is rapidly advancing, autonomous killer robots pose significant ethical challenges. This article explores how tech-savvy youth can lead the movement against these threats, using digital activism to push for policies that ensure meaningful human control over life-and-death decisions. 

Image credit: Young WILPF
  • 4 min
Leandra Pedretti
10 August 2024

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, the future of warfare technology increasingly blurs the lines between science fiction and reality. The development of autonomous weapons, capable of making life-and-death decisions without human intervention, are an extreme manifestation of the unethical nature of war and militarisation.  

Today’s youth, as digital natives, possess unmatched skills in technology and social media, providing unique opportunities to influence and drive the disarmament movement. The combination of youth activism and digital innovation has the potential to revolutionise the campaign against “Killer Robots”, utilise online platforms to raise awareness, mobilise support, and advocate for peace-oriented policy changes.

First of All, What are Killer Robots?

Killer robots, also known as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), are advanced weaponry capable of selecting and engaging targets without human intervention. In a world where algorithmic biases are rampant, the deployment of killer robots will exacerbate existing inequalities and reinforce oppressive structures given that they automate and encode the biases and prejudices of the people who make them. Additionally, advocates against killer robots often refer to its contribution to digital dehumanisation, in which technologies reduce human lives to quantifiable metrics and consequently escalate the dehumanisation that already occurs throughout war itself. 

The Campaign Against “Killer Robots”

The “Stop Killer Robots” coalition actively opposes the development and use of killer robots, and their goal is for human control to remain at the forefront of the use of force. This coalition, which was created in October 2012 and launched publicly in 2013, is a global movement with over 250 member organisations, including WILPF. Their campaign advocates for new international laws governing autonomy in weapons systems and aims to support states in negotiating a legally binding instrument through a transparent, inclusive, and driven by a shared determination to ensure that life-and-death decisions are not delegated to machines. 

The urgency of their mission was highlighted at the recent “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons and the Challenge of Regulation” conference, held on 29-30 April 2024 in Vienna. This important event brought together 144 countries and over 1,000 participants, including high-level representatives from foreign ministers around the world, alongside 60 “Stop Killer Robots” campaigners.

How Can You Get Involved?

Young people today have a unique familiarity with technology and AI. We should harness this familiarity to see beyond the code and recognise that technology should empower people, not dehumanise them. Youth activism has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to shape policies and catalyse real change. So, how can we as young people leverage our digital skills and strategies to help stop killer robots?

Educate yourself and others: Many people I’ve talked to haven’t even heard the term “killer robot” before! Recognising the existence and challenges posed by autonomous weapons is the first step toward stopping them. Utilise digital resources from reputable organisations like the “Campaign to Stop Killer Robots” to learn more, and share this knowledge through social media, personal conversations, and community events.

Social media advocacy: Make the most of social media! Use it to raise awareness by sharing informative posts, creating engaging content, and using hashtags like #StopKillerRobots to join the global conversation. Profiles like @stopkillerrobots and @humanrightswatch can be a good starting point if you are not familiar with the subject, and you can even find organisations closest to you using this list!

Digital campaigns: Start or support online petitions calling for new international laws on autonomous weapons, such as this petition by Amnesty International. Engage in coordinated online campaigns by joining networks like the Stop Killer Robots coalition, which often provides resources and strategies for digital activism.

Virtual webinars and workshops: Organise or participate in virtual workshops and webinars to educate others about the ethical, legal, and social implications of autonomous weapons. These events can also serve as platforms for brainstorming and developing advocacy strategies. For example, “Stop Killer Robots” also has a youth section which you can join to exchange ideas with other young activists!

Build online communities: Establish dedicated online communities within our Young WILPF network focused on the issue of autonomous weapons! These virtual hubs could provide spaces for members to share information, exchange ideas, and coordinate advocacy efforts. 

The journey from clicks to progress is powered by informed, engaged, and empowered youth. By understanding the complexities of killer robots and leveraging digital pathways for advocacy, young activists can pioneer sustainable development and champion a world free of autonomous weaponry. Together, we can dismantle barriers, ignite change, and pave the way for a peaceful and just future!

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Leandra Pedretti

Leandra Pedretti interned at WILPF Sweden in the fall of 2023 and is now an active member of Young WILPF. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Global Development and Political Philosophy from Minerva University. She recently completed a Master’s degree in International Development and Management from Lund University, and she is currently preparing to start her journey as a trainee at Right Livelihood. Her academic and professional interests include militarised masculinities, lethal autonomous weapons, and feminist international relations theory.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.