I’m obviously a big fan of technology, and I’m fascinated by the possibilities already being made into reality by remote and autonomous drones. There’s plenty of positive uses for that technology, particularly as a fan of Mexican food who lives miles from the nearest restaurant.
I’m also a fan of author Daniel Suarez, who I highly recommend if you like technology-based thrillers. Check out Daemon
But having read his fiction, (and that of Jon Evans, who covers similar ground in Swarm), the following TED talk is a mightily disturbing summary of some of the real world events and progress which has inspired their fiction.
Put simply, not only do autonomous drones have the capability to change the face of modern military warfare, but in fact could change the structure and fabric of our whole society. And the main reason is that it brings the ability to wage completely anonymous warfare into the hands of companies, organisations and wealthy individuals.
The legal system moves at a much slower pace than technology, and often it causes debate and laughter when the subject is an area like Digital Rights Management, and lives might be ruined but not lost.
But this is an area which political and legal minds need to be tackling right now around the globe.
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