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Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War First Edition, Stated, First Printing.

4.3 out of 5 stars 734 ratings

A Bill Gates Top Five Book of 2018

A Pentagon defense expert and former U.S. Army Ranger explores what it would mean to give machines authority over the ultimate decision of life or death.

What happens when a Predator drone has as much autonomy as a Google car? Or when a weapon that can hunt its own targets is hacked? Although it sounds like science fiction, the technology already exists to create weapons that can attack targets without human input. Paul Scharre, a leading expert in emerging weapons technologies, draws on deep research and firsthand experience to explore how these next-generation weapons are changing warfare.

Scharre’s far-ranging investigation examines the emergence of autonomous weapons, the movement to ban them, and the legal and ethical issues surrounding their use. He spotlights artificial intelligence in military technology, spanning decades of innovation from German noise-seeking Wren torpedoes in World War II―antecedents of today’s homing missiles―to autonomous cyber weapons, submarine-hunting robot ships, and robot tank armies. Through interviews with defense experts, ethicists, psychologists, and activists, Scharre surveys what challenges might face "centaur warfighters" on future battlefields, which will combine human and machine cognition. We’ve made tremendous technological progress in the past few decades, but we have also glimpsed the terrifying mishaps that can result from complex automated systems―such as when advanced F-22 fighter jets experienced a computer meltdown the first time they flew over the International Date Line.

At least thirty countries already have defensive autonomous weapons that operate under human supervision. Around the globe, militaries are racing to build robotic weapons with increasing autonomy. The ethical questions within this book grow more pressing each day. To what extent should such technologies be advanced? And if responsible democracies ban them, would that stop rogue regimes from taking advantage? At the forefront of a game-changing debate, Army of None engages military history, global policy, and cutting-edge science to argue that we must embrace technology where it can make war more precise and humane, but without surrendering human judgment. When the choice is life or death, there is no replacement for the human heart.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[E]ngagingly detailed…Scharre offers an authoritative and sobering perspective on the automated battlefields that will very soon come to characterize military conflict."
Science

"A tour de force of the future of war technology. A former U.S. Army Ranger turned defense analyst, Paul Scharre has been there and back. He skillfully uses that background to blend personal experience and thoughtful analysis into a highly readable journey through the world of robots on the battlefield and beyond."
P.W. Singer, author of Wired for War and Ghost Fleet

"The era of autonomous weapons is upon us. In
Army of None, Scharre combines his experience as a warrior and his insight as a policy researcher to paint a comprehensive picture of exactly what such an era will look like. He masterfully weaves together threads tying future weapon systems, artificial intelligence, and policy imperatives to deliver a book that is simply a must-read for anyone interested in military technology and its broader implications."
Amir Husain, founder and CEO of SparkCognition, and author of The Sentient Machine

"Technology democratizes. What was once the exclusive purview of nation-states quickly becomes accessible by everyone.
Army of None serves as a smart primer to what’s to come in warfare, but also what we’re going to have to contend with in our daily lives soon after."
Bruce Schneier, author of Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World

"Be very, very afraid. As this extraordinary book reveals, we are fast sailing into an era in which big life-and-death decisions in war will be made not by men and women, but by artificial intelligence. Are we prepared for the most fundamental shift in warfare in history? This illuminating book will dominate the discussion and analysis of this problem―and its execution in the field―for decades to come."
Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO and author of Sea Power: The History and Politics of the World’s Oceans

"A clear, well-written, and richly documented discussion of an issue that deserves deep and careful study."
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[D]etailed, nuanced, open-minded look at an incredibly complex and technical subject…
Army of None will spark important discussions as it empowers reader with knowledge about a subject with enormous implications."
Booklist

About the Author

Paul Scharre is a former U.S. Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The author of the award-winning study of autonomous weapons Army of None he is currently executive vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security. He lives in Virginia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition, Stated, First Printing. (April 24, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393608980
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393608984
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 734 ratings

About the author

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Paul Scharre
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Paul Scharre is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds and Army of None. He is the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security. Scharre is a former Pentagon policy analyst and a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His first book, Army of None, won the 2019 Colby Award, was one of Bill Gates’ top five books of 2018, and was one of The Economist’s top five books to understand modern warfare. He has a PhD in war studies from King’s College London. Follow him on Twitter at @paul_scharre.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
734 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and comprehensive, with one review noting how it integrates perspectives from many technical and other experts. Moreover, the book serves as a useful guide to the debate around autonomous weapons and provides an incredible view of the future of warfare. Additionally, they appreciate its coverage of AI use. However, the writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well written while others describe it as difficult to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

30 customers mention "Readability"27 positive3 negative

Customers find the book fascinating and a must-read, with one customer noting it is rich in content.

"...If you have an interest in the topic, I believe that the book will reward your time. Five stars." Read more

"It is always great to read a non fiction book from an informed source. Broad look at many aspects of future combat using autonomous systems" Read more

"...Though this book focuses on the weapons, the subject is still an eye opener. This book is well written and not boring at all." Read more

"...I gave the book three stars because it was content rich but needed better execution to achieve its mission - whatever that may have been." Read more

26 customers mention "Knowledge level"23 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's knowledge level, with one customer noting how it integrates perspectives from many technical and other experts, while another mentions it provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical standpoint.

"...interests you, Mr. Scharre's book provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical, technological and ethical perspective...." Read more

"...Eye opening account of where the military is heading, and the role of technology...." Read more

"...Overall, a great introduction to this subject that will provide plenty of food for thought for even those who follow these issues." Read more

"...Army of N0ne attitude is to provide to reader real-life scenarios (e.g. case studies) while confronting him with various issues, such as ethics and..." Read more

12 customers mention "Ethical content"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the ethical content of the book, which serves as a useful guide to the debate around autonomous weapons and provides an incredible view of the future of warfare.

"...If also looks at the effectiveness of various weapons bans both in the last century and over hundreds of years...." Read more

"...This book definitely encompasses the whole spectrum of issues about autonomous weapons, including picking up bits from many high risk industries...." Read more

"This book is a comprehensive overview of autonomous weapons and how they will shape how war is conducted in the future, great for both specialists..." Read more

"A good survey of autonomous weapons issues with historical context...." Read more

5 customers mention "Use of ai"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of AI technology, with one customer highlighting its insights into AI issues, another noting its government perspectives, and a third emphasizing its importance for human beings.

"...military context, but it gives a great discussion and insight into the issues in using AI, leading to the AI ethics question...." Read more

"...and ability to discuss the military, science, and government perspectives on the use of AI. Awesome book" Read more

"The importance of AI for human beeing...." Read more

"Super relevant and informative discussion on AI in general..." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others describe it as a difficult read.

"...I found the author to be very candid, well read, and open in his presentation of the present condition of autonomous weapons...." Read more

"...This book is well written and not boring at all." Read more

"...Finally, the writing style was workmanlike, which is acceptable but not helpful when such a complex issue is the subject...." Read more

"Well written book. Eye opening account of where the military is heading, and the role of technology...." Read more

he has totally omitted US operations in Afghanistan in 2009-11
1 out of 5 stars
he has totally omitted US operations in Afghanistan in 2009-11
I bought this book with great interest and was very keen to read it. Now having read it , following are my very frank views. Much of the details in this book are pure data which can be picked from any source and reproduced. The book all along is weak in analysis and rich in technical facts which does not really help a keen student of military affairs who wants to improve his operational knowledge. The author has been a part of the bureaucracy and has refrained from critical analysis. For example he could have critically analysed how much US drone warfare in Afghanistan was linked to commercial considerations and kickbacks. Interestingly he has simply omitted the biggest US drone operations in history carried out in Afghanistan. The most important drawback of such books is that so far the USA has worked in warfare environments where it enjoyed overwhelming superiority , which will not be a case in a war with a more credible foe. On page 94 he is wrong when he writes that Blitzkrieg had connection with Germanys technical superiority In reality German success was more linked to superior German doctrine and a far superior strategic plan now famous as Manstein Plan. Page 114 contains grammatical errors on line three , poor editing in a very expensive book .Not acceptable. Nowhere does the author take into account the fact that conventional war with tanks involving major states like USA and Russia or NATO is simply not going to take place because of nuclear weapons. What we have seen since 1945 are low intensity conflicts waged by major states using proxies. He over rates Patriots missiles whose performance has been viewed very skeptically by great military thinkers like Martin Van Creveld. I remember exercise zarb e momin of October November 1989 where a Russian scud fired by Afghanistan at the Pakistan Army corps headquarters near Bhakkar missing the target by some 15 to 20 kilometres. The author does not explain why robots were still ineffective in Iraq war in tactical situations requiring decisions that only a human being could take. Similarly he has totally omitted US operations in Afghanistan in 2009-11 where US suffered heavy casualties. Not discussing ongoing US operations and integrating them with his technical details heavy book leaves a bad taste in the mouth. His references to Iraq war while interesting still do not paint a clear picture how US robots and allied systems fare in a major war against a more credible foe like Russia or China. The subject of the book is future of war with robots or robotics but the discussion remains fixed around technical data and the narrative is very poor about strategy or tactics. As a primer to increase your knowledge about robots the book is interesting . But serious discussion is severely lacking and the author is a typical man with a vested interest , who wants to avoid serious discussion. I don’t regret having bought this book as my technical knowledge has improved but wont regard it as any addition to my knowledge of military or serious strategic or operational matters.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2018
    If the effect of artificial intelligence on warfare interests you, Mr. Scharre's book provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical, technological and ethical perspective. The Army Futures Command has just opened its headquarters in Austin, Texas, with a plan to ensure that the Army is prepared to fight the wars of the future. If this book is not on their reading list, it should be.

    Here are a few of the topics that the book covers. First, U.S. Army Ranger Scharre addresses the importance of "context" in combat by drawing on some of his experiences in combat in Afghanistan. The 7 year old girl sent by possibly hostile Afghans to recon his unit's position during an operation in Afghanistan. Under the definitions of war Ranger Scharre and his unit could have shot her, but they didn't because she looked to be about 7 years old. Would an autonomous weapon with the power to kill have made the same decision? Probably not.

    The book examines the question of "what is autonomy?" Not all nations define it the same way. What weapons have been built and used that could be considered autonomous. Some exist. Robots and drones - how are these being developed by the Pentagon and by private parties using off-the-shelf parts and software.

    Can autonomous weapons be used safely and, if they are used, what are the risks? Speed may be critical. If your opponent uses weapons that simply act faster than any human could, the likelihood is that other combatants will use these weapons as well.

    Does mankind "summon the demon" by building and deploying these machines? The book has a lengthy review of the parties and persons fighting to ban these weapons. If also looks at the effectiveness of various weapons bans both in the last century and over hundreds of years. Arms control has a very mixed history.

    One possible development may be the centaur warfighter - man plus machine. How do we control the warfighting capacities of machines with ever more capable artificial intelligence? My sense is that the range of outcomes will be tilted from "only with great difficulty" to "we can't."

    I was surprised by some of the information in the book, but I hadn't looked at the subject before. I found the author to be very candid, well read, and open in his presentation of the present condition of autonomous weapons. If you have an interest in the topic, I believe that the book will reward your time. Five stars.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2019
    It is always great to read a non fiction book from an informed source. Broad look at many aspects of future combat using autonomous systems
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019
    This book was on Bill Gates top 5 books for 2018. I respect his opinion about books since every book I read that he recommended was spot on. I use to work as an importer for MS way in the early days, and the books his marketing team would recommend were life changing for me. This book is not life changing, but a must read to understand where the modern battlefield is migrating to. I think a 5 star book should be able to last for ages, and not be some contemporary jot in the history of literature. Though this book is contemporary, the issue is something humans will have to deal with for the next hundred or so years.
    The book covers weapons that are AI driven, autonomous or automatic, and the issues evolved of having a weapon act alone without a human in the loop. He explains the difference between them, and there are major difference. I was impressed how fair he was. He covered all sides of the issues and did not take a hardline stance. Every time I thought he was sticking to a stance, he would eventually explain the other side. He does not hide the fact he does not want weapons to act totally alone without having a human in the loop. He sees no way to leave computerized weapons to make their own decisions about life or death. He prefers that smart computers assist humans to make better decisions, and not to make a decision in their place even though computers could probably make a more intelligent and quicker decision.
    The real problem all countries have is if the enemy is willing to abandon moral practices and allow computerized weapons to make their own decisions even if they know innocent lives could be lost. He mentions this dilemma but does not dwell on it. I wish he would have and give real example of countries that may abuse or may not have any choice given they are surrounded by hostile nations. He discusses the technologies of computerized weapons, but I wish he would have dived in a little more on the subject.
    We are entering a brave new age, and we are already witnessing AI and autonomous equipment slowly enter our lives. Though this book focuses on the weapons, the subject is still an eye opener. This book is well written and not boring at all.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019
    I read widely on AI and selected this book due to its ratings and a sample. My background includes ten years as a designer of control and safety systems for complex processes. This book definitely encompasses the whole spectrum of issues about autonomous weapons, including picking up bits from many high risk industries. These end up scattered about like little nuggets. There is significant discussion of the ethics and morals of accidents, and some of the politics of controlling technology.

    I found this a difficult read. Though the sections appeared to break this down into specific areas, the content within each section was often a mix of material that logically could have been elsewhere. There didn't appear to be an obvious reason for the ordering of the sections. Finally, the writing style was workmanlike, which is acceptable but not helpful when such a complex issue is the subject.

    I gave the book three stars because it was content rich but needed better execution to achieve its mission - whatever that may have been.
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
    Well written book. Eye opening account of where the military is heading, and the role of technology. Only caveat is this book was written years ago, and the speed of technology has advanced quickly. Some of the tech discussed is 5 years behind

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mantello
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Company and Book Lovers
    Reviewed in Italy on March 4, 2022
    Love this company. They shipped the book with so much love and care. Will definitely use them again.
  • octavio herrera
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesante
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 25, 2020
    Muy enfocado al pinto de vista humano y toda la disyuntiva qué hay sobre el uso de sistemas autónomos . Lo interesante es que ni los organismos ni empresas que desarrollan dichos sistemas tienen claro o definido que es en si un sistema autónomo
    Report
  • laurent dancygier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2019
    It is a well documented reflexion. I enjoyed it and recommand it.

    However I think two things:

    As capital concentration is growing there will be a growing demand from states and elites To have autonomous weapons available To them To protect social stability
    As contractors are playing an always bigger role in wars and security, there will be a growing demand for automated tools To increase productivity of the work force, I.e. for automation and autonomous tools.
    One person found this helpful
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  • HamaNeko
    4.0 out of 5 stars AI兵器は許されるか?
    Reviewed in Japan on January 22, 2020
    今後、AIを使用した兵器が広く使用され、第一次、二時世界大戦の様な、国民戦争(カイヨワ)は起きない、と予想されている。
    こうした状況を背景に、本書では、この分野の専門家である著者が、AI兵器の例、その能力、過去の事故例などについて説明しながら、AI兵器の問題、課題について説明している。
    現在のAIの知能はニューロンの数で測ると、モルモット程度である。モルモットが誘導するミサイル、ドローン、地上、海上、海中ロボット兵器が信頼できないのは明らかである。本書でも過去の事故の例をあげて、具体的に説明されている。
    更に、(1)AI兵器は、核の抑止力により、実際の核戦争はおきなかった様に、抑止の効果をもつか?(2)AI兵器の信頼度と誤動作(味方や非軍人を攻撃するなど)の可能性はどの程度あるか?(3)人間の関与により、この問題は解決できるか?(4)そもそも戦争における倫理とはなにか?などの課題、問題が提示されている。
  • Piyush Shah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Timely Delivery
    Reviewed in India on August 11, 2022
    Frankly, it is waiting to be read!