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Fully autonomous, AI-controlled drones have killed human soldiers for the first time, according to a senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry

A senior Ukrainian defense industry figure told New Scientist that fully autonomous drones programmed to destroy anything in a given area caused confirmed casualties in a test two years ago. This is reported as the first known instance of AI-controlled drones killing human soldiers.

This milestone in autonomous warfare raises urgent questions about accountability, ethics, and the risk of uncontrolled escalation. It also signals a shift from remotely piloted to fully autonomous lethal systems, potentially lowering barriers to deployment in conflicts and beyond.

Key details

• A test two years ago used fully autonomous drones set to destroy any target in a designated area, resulting in casualties.
• The claim comes from a senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry, as reported by New Scientist.
• This is described as the first known case of AI-controlled drones killing human soldiers.

Discussion angles

• Many commenters argue that autonomous drone proliferation poses a greater threat than nuclear weapons due to lower barriers to use.
• Several users predict autonomous drone assassination attempts outside active war zones within the next few years.
• Sarcastic remarks about misidentification of civilians, such as jokes about targeting toddlers, underscore concerns about targeting accuracy.
• Frequent references to the Terminator franchise reflect a cultural anxiety about AI running out of human control.