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Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition
Winner of the 2019 William E. Colby Award
"The book I had been waiting for. I can't recommend it highly enough." —Bill Gates
The era of autonomous weapons has arrived. Today around the globe, at least thirty nations have weapons that can search for and destroy enemy targets all on their own. Paul Scharre, a leading expert in next-generation warfare, describes these and other high tech weapons systems—from Israel’s Harpy drone to the American submarine-hunting robot ship Sea Hunter—and examines the legal and ethical issues surrounding their use. “A smart primer to what’s to come in warfare” (Bruce Schneier), Army of None engages military history, global policy, and cutting-edge science to explore the implications of giving weapons the freedom to make life and death decisions. A former soldier himself, Scharre argues that we must embrace technology where it can make war more precise and humane, but when the choice is life or death, there is no replacement for the human heart.
- ISBN-13978-0393608991
- EditionIllustrated
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateApril 24, 2018
- LanguageEnglish
- File size22.7 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A tour de force of the future of war technology. A former US 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 Cybersecurity and Cyberwar""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, author of The Sentient Machine"About the Author
Paul Scharre is a former US Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is currently the director of the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security; he is also a contributor to Foreign Policy, Politico and the New York Times. He lives in Virginia.
Product details
- ASIN : B073VXYD5P
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company; Illustrated edition (April 24, 2018)
- Publication date : April 24, 2018
- Language : English
- File size : 22.7 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 435 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #273,932 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers 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
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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
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
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
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
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
Reviews with images

he has totally omitted US operations in Afghanistan in 2009-11
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2018If 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2019It 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, 2019This 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019I 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024Well 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
- MantelloReviewed in Italy on March 4, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Company and Book Lovers
Love this company. They shipped the book with so much love and care. Will definitely use them again.
-
octavio herreraReviewed in Mexico on November 25, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesante
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
- laurent dancygierReviewed in Canada on February 3, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
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 helpfulReport -
HamaNekoReviewed in Japan on January 22, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars AI兵器は許されるか?
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 ShahReviewed in India on August 11, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Timely Delivery
Frankly, it is waiting to be read!