23 June, 2013
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
A United Nations special investigator recently called for ban on the production and use of lethal autonomous robots, also known as LARs. Critics say these "killer robots" may one day choose and strike targets independently, without human intervention.
UN official Christof Heyns says the lack of human commanders raises many moral and ethical questions about LARs. He spoke last month at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
"War without reflection is mechanical slaughter, in the same way that the taking of any human life deserves - as a minimum - some deliberation, a decision to allow machines to be deployed to kill human beings worldwide. Whatever weapon they use, deserve a collective pause."
Mr Heyns says "killer robots" should not have the power of life and death over human beings. He disagrees with people who say the robots could help reduce the possibility of human error, or accidental death.
"In some cases, people also make mistakes with their act of fear, or may even be driven to act out of revenge or cruelty. Yet at the same time, humans may in some cases, unlike robots, act out of compassion or grace."
Mr Heyns presented a 22-page report to the Human Rights Council, his report recognizes that robots with full lethal autonomous have yet to be deployed, but he notes that some countries already have robot systems in use. And others are believed to be developing autonomous robots.
Drones have been appointed of debate in recent years, these vehicles upgrade without a human pilot rising on the aircraft. Many countries have drone programs. Drone strikes have held the United States in its battle against militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Last month, president Obama described a plan of action for American's fight against terrorism. He said the use of drone strikes must be held to high standards.
"America does not take strikes when we have the ability to capture individual terrorists. Our preference is always to detain, interrogate and prosecute them. America cannot take strikes wherever we choose. Our actions are bound by consultations with partners and respect for state sovereignty."
President Obama called the use of drones "effective", but he noted that the new technology raises what he called profound questions,
"As our fight enters a new phase, America's legitimate claim of self-defense cannot be the end of the discussion. To say a military tactic is legal, or even effective, is not to say it is wise or moral in every instance, for the same progress that gives us the technology to strike half a world away also demands the discipline to constrain that power, or risk abusing it."
Shortly after his speech, the Pakistani Taliban reported that its number 2 commander was killed in a suspected American drone strike.
And that's the Technology Report from VOA Learning English, I'm June Simms.
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
這里是美國之音慢速英語科技報道。
A United Nations special investigator recently called for a ban on the production and use of lethal autonomous robots, also known as LARs. Critics say these "killer robots" may one day choose and strike targets independently, without human intervention.
聯(lián)合國一位特別調(diào)查員最近呼吁禁止生產(chǎn)和使用自主機器人殺手(簡稱LARs)。批評人士表示,這些機器人殺手有一天可能會無需人工干預,獨立選擇和打擊目標。
UN official Christof Heyns says the lack of human commanders raises many moral and ethical questions about LARs. He spoke last month at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
聯(lián)合國官員克里斯托夫·海恩斯(Christof Heyns)表示,缺乏人類指揮官引發(fā)了很多關于LARs的道德和倫理問題。他上月在瑞士日內(nèi)瓦的聯(lián)合國人權理事會會議上做了發(fā)言。
"War without reflection is mechanical slaughter, in the same way that the taking of any human life deserves - as a minimum - some deliberation, a decision to allow machines to be deployed to kill human beings worldwide. Whatever weapons they use, deserves a collective pause."
他說,“沒有反思的戰(zhàn)爭是機械屠殺。同樣,奪取任何人的生命至少需要深思熟慮再做出決定允許部署機器人殺死全球范圍的人類。無論他們使用什么武器,都需要集體暫停。”
Mr Heyns says "killer robots" should not have the power of life and death over human beings. He disagrees with people who say the robots could help reduce the possibility of human error, or accidental death.
海恩斯先生表示,機器人殺手不應該有權力決定人類的生死。他不同意有人說,機器人可以幫助降低人為錯誤或意外死亡的可能性。
"In some cases, people also make mistakes with their act of fear, or may even be driven to act out of revenge or cruelty. Yet at the same time, humans may in some cases, unlike robots, act out of compassion or grace."
他說,“在某些情況下,人們會因為恐懼而犯錯,或者被迫采取報復和虐待。然而與此同時,不像機器人,人類在某些情況下會表現(xiàn)出同情和寬恕。”
Mr Heyns presented a 22-page report to the Human Rights Council, his report recognizes that robots with full lethal autonomous have yet to be deployed, but he notes that some countries already have robotics systems in use. And others are believed to be developing autonomous robots.
海恩斯向人權理事會提交了一份22頁的報告。他的報告承認,完全自主的機器人殺手尚未部署,但他指出一些國家已經(jīng)在使用機器人系統(tǒng)。同時另一些國家被認為在發(fā)展自主機器人。
Drones have been appointed of debate in recent years, these vehicles operate without a human pilot riding on the aircraft. Many countries have drone programs. Drone strikes have helped the United States in its battle against militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Last month, president Obama described the plan of action for American's fight against terrorism. He said the use of drone strikes must be held to high standards.
近些年無人機頗富爭議,這種飛行器無需人類到飛機上操作。許多國家都擁有無人機計劃。無人機空襲已經(jīng)幫助美國在阿富汗和巴基斯坦戰(zhàn)斗中打擊武裝分子。上月,美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬談到了美國打擊恐怖主義的行動計劃。他說,使用無人機空襲必須具備高標準。
"America does not take strikes when we have the ability to capture individual terrorists. Our preference is always to detain, interrogate and prosecute them. America cannot take strikes wherever we choose. Our actions are bound by consultations with partners and respect for state sovereignty."
“美國在有能力捕獲具體恐怖主義分子時,不會實施打擊;我們的首選方式始終是拘留、審問和起訴。美國不會任意在任何地方實施打擊;我們的行動受到與合作伙伴磋商以及對國家主權予以尊重的約束。”
President Obama called the use of drones "effective", but he noted that the new technology raises what he called profound questions.
奧巴馬總統(tǒng)稱使用無人機非常有效,但他指出這種新技術引發(fā)了他所說的深層次問題。
"As our fight enters a new phase, America's legitimate claim of self-defense cannot be the end of the discussion. To say a military tactic is legal, or even effective, is not to say it is wise or moral in every instance, for the same progress that gives us the technology to strike half a world away also demands the discipline to constrain that power, or risk abusing it."
他說,“隨著我們的斗爭進入新階段,美國對自衛(wèi)的合法伸張并不能被作為一勞永逸的定論。說一項軍事策略是合法的,或者甚至是有效的,并不等于說其在任何情況下都是明智或道義的。人類進步既帶給我們向地球另一端出擊的技術,也要求具有對這一威力予以約束的克制——否則便可能導致濫用。”
Shortly after his speech, the Pakistani Taliban reported that its number 2 commander was killed in a suspected American drone strike.
在他講話后不久,巴基斯坦塔利班報道其2號指揮官在一次疑似美國無人機打擊中喪生。