Shows
Stay in CommandUnpacking Australia's Arms Industry: Secrecy, Influence and Autonomous WeaponsEpisode SummaryIn this eye-opening episode of the SafeGround Podcast, host Lilly McKenzie examines Australia's covert arms industry, revealing how foreign multinational defense companies dominate and influence government decisions. Featuring insights from expert researcher Michelle Fahy and Australia Stop Killer Robot coordinator Matilda Byrne, we explore long standing secrecy, controversy over weapons exports, and the role of Australia within the global arms trade. The discussion also highlights the rise of autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), the ethical and legal risks of AI-driven warfare, and the urgent need for international arms control treaties. Discover why transparency, defense regulation, and...2025-05-0250 minStay in CommandLimits on Autonomous Weapons - ICRC PerspectiveIn this episode of Stay in Command we showcase the ICRC perspective on autonomous weapons and the need for limits. Our guest is a weapons and disarmament expert, Neil Davison from ICRC's Department of Law and Policy at Geneva HQs bringing his own insight and the ICRC's view. Content in this Episode:ICRC mandate and approach to weapons issues [1:14]Humanitarian concerns of autonomous weapons [2:27]Legal Issues [5:40]Human Control as a core concept [8:14]Ethical perspective [10:36]Limits on autonomy [12:28]International talks and 'crunch-time'[16:59]...2021-03-0323 minStay in CommandDiplomatic Process and Progress on Killer RobotsIn this episode of Stay in Command we discuss the diplomatic process and progress being made regarding lethal autonomous weapons systems. The episode featured Elizabeth Minor from UL-based NGO Article 36 which works to to prevent harm from weapons through stronger international standards and is on the steering committee of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. We look at how this issue has progressed and where it is going. We unpack key themes in the current debate and where the process must go.Content in this episode:Overview of this issue on the diplomatic stage to...2020-10-0441 minStay in CommandWho is in Command?Who Is In Command?John Rodsted: [00:00:00]Content in this episode:Today we speak with Paul Barratt AO, Australians For War Powers Reform [00:00:19] An Insider To Policy and Decision Making [00:03:04]What Role Does Opposition In Parliament Play? [00:04:36]The Australians For War Powers Reform [00:05:38]Is The Response Time An Issue? [00:06:56]Will Politics Get In The Way? [00:08:25] How to Keep Intelligence Secret? [00:09:39]Who Supports War Powers Reforms? [00:11:37]An Artificial Intelligence Arms Race? [00:14:56]Legal Framework In Decision Making [00:17:14]Bias & Lack of Cultural Knowledge and Sensitivity [00:17:55]An Algorithm Mess [00:20:58]Responsibility For Picking Up The Tab? [00:24:03]Will Killer Robots Be Use...2020-09-3033 minStay in CommandA Commander’s View on Lethal Autonomous WeaponsStay in CommandIn the ‘Stay in Command’ episode today, Major General Mike Smith (Ret.) and John Rodsted from SafeGround explore the issues surrounding the development of Lethal Autonomous Weapons with Artificial Intelligence. The mechanics, ethics and application of this new technology paints a disturbing picture of a world where machines decide who will live and who will die. Today we will talk about leadership both civil and military and the complexities of command responsibility in regards to Lethal Autonomous Weapons.Major General Michael Smith (ret) has spent his life leading others. He graduated the Roya...2020-09-1047 minStay in CommandThe Tech Perspective with Lizzie SilverThe Tech Perspective with Lizzie Silver:Technological Aspects and Tech IndustryThis episode of Stay in Command emphasised the technological dimensions and concerns as well as the implications on lethal autonomous weapons on the tech industry. Our guest Dr Lizzie Silver is a Senior Data Scientist at Melbourne-based AI company Silverpond. Content in this episode:Troubling reality of these weapons [1:49]Problems with fully autonomous weapons - explainability[3:49]Facial recognition and bias[7:11]Military benefits from technical point of view [11:36]Machines and the kill decision [15:01]2020-09-0827 minStay in CommandStudent views on Killer RobotsYennie Sayle is completing her studies of a Bachelor of International Studies at RMIT University and is the Youth Engagement intern with SafeGround for the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots Australia.She sits down with three other students from different areas of studies and experiences to talk killer robots, the level of exposure in their degrees to the topic, their views, concerns, thoughts on university involvement in their development, raising awareness among students and more.2020-09-0618 minStay in CommandMatilda Byrne on Australia and Killer RobotsMatilda Byrne on Australia's position on Killer Robots John Rodsted:Welcome to SafeGround, the small organisation with big ideas working in disarmament, human security, climate change and refugees. I’m John RodstedThank you for tuning in to our series Stay in Command where we talk about lethal autonomous weapons, theAustralian context and why we must not delegate decision making from humans to machines. Matilda Byrne is the national coordinator of the Australian Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots is an international effort to p...2020-09-0437 min
Stay in CommandKiller Robots: Mary Wareham at Human Rights WatchSafeGroud Presents the series ‘Stay in Command’: Mary Wareham on the Killer Robot Campaign2020-Sep-1Welcome to SafeGround, the small organisation with big ideas working in disarmament, human security, climate change and refugees. I’m John Rodsted.Thank you for tuning in to our series Stay in Command where we talk about lethal autonomous weapons, the Australian context and why we mustn’t delegate decision making from man to machines. Today we speak with Mary Wareham who is the advocacy director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch. Originally...2020-09-0141 min