US plan to unleash autonomous ‘killer’ drones sparks calls for global ban

Plus: OpenAI’s Q* secret breakthrough, how dogs could look in 10,000 years, the SUV with “emergency float mode” In Coordination with Co Print [Bored with 3D printing using the same colors? Here’s how to spice it up!]( 3D printing with just one color makes it a monotonous task. Here's how Co Print can make it fun and exciting again! [Read more.]( The Pentagon is rapidly developing lethal drones powered by artificial intelligence that can independently hunt and kill targets once launched. For the first time, weapons will use their own cognition to complete missions without any conscience. But the potential automation of slaughter flies against established norms of human control and accountability in war. As more nations race to develop autonomous killer robots, calls for a ban grow louder. These drones far exceed the capabilities of existing “fire-and-forget” missiles, forcing a moral reckoning over leaving life and death decisions to unsupervised machines. In today’s [Must Read]( we explore the Pentagon’s pursuit of conscience-free “killer robots” and the international movement rallying to stop fully-automated warfare. 🔐 AdGuard VPN Black Friday sale is here bringing you 85 percent off the 2-year [AdGuard VPN subscription]( Secure your browsing experience and stay anonymous with our trusted VPN service. ⏰ The promo runs till November 29. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( 4 ways you are constantly being watched Discover the ethical implications of constant surveillance in our digitized world and its impact on privacy in this thought-provoking video. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [SUBSCRIBE]( HOT TOPICS - 🚁 [NASA trials next-gen aircraft designs on Earth and Mars, a first]( While the Jet Propulsion Laboratory tests advanced carbon fiber rotor blades on Earth, its Ingenuity helicopter is scheduled for high-speed flights on Mars. - 🌐 [Scientists find salt glacier evidence on Mercury that may support life]( Planetary scientists have discovered possible evidence of glacier-like structures on Mercury. - 💧 [Researchers find hydrogen in Apollo rocks, rising lunar water prospects]( This discovery holds significant potential for future explorers, as it opens the possibility of utilizing this resource for water harvesting on the Moon. - 🚀 [Study finds space flights could limit astronauts’ sexual performance on Earth]( Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are causative factors in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction in long-haul spaceflights. - 🤒 [Mysterious outbreak of child pneumonia bewilders China]( Victims are facing “undiagnosed pneumonia” with high temperatures and abnormal growth in the lungs, according to reports. Must Read [👾 ‘Killer robots’: Pentagon seeks AI-powered drones to take out enemies]( The Pentagon is rapidly developing swarms of autonomous “killer” drones powered by AI to identify and eliminate targets, sparking ethical concerns. A network of potentially thousands of lethal drones could be deployed near China, tasked with overwhelming missile defenses. While still requiring human approval to fire, these weapons illustrate the progression toward fully automated weapons selecting and engaging targets alone. Lethal autonomous drones build on precedents like mines and missiles having limited self-direction abilities. But new loitering munitions can search areas before striking perceived threats based on programmed criteria. Contractors pitch near-fully autonomous execution needing just an initial launch command. The future seems to point to AI replacing human judgements in combat operations. Critics urge the UN to ban autonomous attack drones to prevent inhuman warfare and instability. But the US and its allies favor advancing the technology, arguing it matches rivals’ efforts. Are self-directed killer robots are mere extensions of existing “fire and forget” weapons or a new form of warfare that is even more detached and dangerous? The moral calculus remains complex. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🚨 AI discovery that ‘threatens humanity’ may have sparked Sam Altman’s ouster]( Just before OpenAI’s CEO was ousted, researchers flagged an AI system called Q* solving math problems at a grade-school level. Though details are scarce, insiders suggest its advanced reasoning precipitated worries over safeguards. This undisclosed model may be what sparked the subsequent whirlwind power struggle. Peek behind the scenes at the AI startup’s latest crisis. [[Read More]( A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR [Bored with 3D printing using the same colors? Here’s how to spice it up!]( When we think of 3D printing, we usually think only of single-filament 3D printing. While that may be exciting, you can expect that eagerness is bound to dry up at some point. If you’ve already arrived at that point, you can use [Co Print’s ChromaSet solution]( to enjoy multi-material or multi-colored printing. The ChromaSet solution uses six devices to upgrade your 3D printing experience and is applicable to any 3D printer It also enables remote control, so you can monitor your projects remotely. With 300+ mm/s, it can reduce the turnaround time to almost half the time required by a traditional printer. Visit this page to book a ChromaSet and elevate your 3D printing experience! [[Read More]( [Culture]( [🐶 Pet geneticists use AI to visualize how dogs will look in 10,000 years]( Veterinarians visualized how modern dog breeds could evolve in 10,000 years under climate change scenarios. If Earth heated up, dogs may shed fur and shrink to stay cool with less food. But a new Ice Age could make them furrier, fiercer, and more wolf-like to endure the cold. Though uncertain, the images showcase how dogs physically adapt to environmental pressures over time. Click below to see the results. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🚙 SUV’s ‘Emergency Float Mode’ carries passengers to safety in deep waters]( BYD stunned with an “Emergency Float Mode” on its luxury SUV YangWang U8, allowing seamless water navigation. A video reveals the camouflaged vehicle gracefully steering itself in a lake, propelled by its wheels. This cool aquatic backup for deep water crossings shows BYD's commitment to driver safety. Watch the amphibious SUV glide across the surface. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [DevOps Engineer]( at Futurex Bulverde(US) [DevOps Engineer]( at Blackstone Technology Group Alexandria(US) [Senior Unity Engine Engineer - XR, Pico]( at ByteDance San Jose(US) [Senior Data Engineer]( at Audible Newark(US) [SecOps Engineer, Senior]( at Booz Allen Hamilton Chantilly(US) [Senior Advanced Project Engineer-Turbofan Engines]( at Honeywell Phoenix(US) [Advanced Electrical Engineer]( at Light & Wonder Eden Prairie(US) [Senior Network Engineer]( at The Villages The Villages(US) [Senior Engineer]( at American Express Global Business Travel Scottsdale(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY Should advanced AI models like OpenAI’s Q* be independently audited? [I've no strong opinion either way]( [Maybe, it depends on safety risks]( [No, it would compromise intellectual property]( [Yes, external reviews are essential]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about a small startup’s plan to use railgun technology to develop a commercially viable source of fusion energy. Here are your responses. 60% It seems highly ambitious but I wish them luck 22% Not qualified to judge either way 16% Absolutely, their approach is brilliant 1% Stick to conventional science and keep trying “Is this a tool we’ve built or a creature we’ve built?” Sam Altman, in a panel discussion on November 17 THINGS WE LOVE [Garmin Fenix Watch]( [$699.99]( [Hoover Pet Carpet Cleaner]( [$179.99]( [HP OfficeJet Printer]( [$399.99]( [Bose Music Amplifier]( [$599.00]( AND ANOTHER THING - [ChatGPT now has a human-like voice on all iOS and Android phones]( - [‘Electrified trailer’: Thor’s e-RV charging hub for travel adventures]( - [Returning the extinct Dodo will involve building its native habitats]( - [Lockheed Martin’s missile aces US Army test, eyes 248-mile range]( - [Drones are dropping these robot spinning seeds for soil monitoring]( - [When will AI pilot a plane full of passengers?]( [premium] - [Scientists discover a strange, new metallicity in a quantum material]( - [Enfys: Welsh-built spectrometer will join the search for Martian life]( - [VTT and Lockheed Martin team up for global defense signal intelligence]( - [This worm detaches its ass and sends it to look for a sexual partner]( Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. [Contact us](mailto:sales@interestingengineering.com?subject=Newsletter Sponsorship) what else? ⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your [Mechanical]( 🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the [Vital Component]( 🧑🏻‍🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to [Engineer Pros]( 🧠New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to [AI Logs]( 🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to [IE Originals]( For our weekly premium newsletter and an ad-free experience, [sign up for IE+]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Give Feedback](mailto:tim.snaith@interestingengineering.com?subject=User feedback for the Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036, USA All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your e-mail preferences [here.]( Unsubscribe from our emails [here.]( See our full [privacy policy]( or [terms of conditions](. You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here.](