What are the authoritative sources on the legal challenges of Autonomous Weapons Systems ?

Some authoritative sources on the legal challenges of Autonomous Weapons Systems include:

1. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA): The UNODA provides information and resources on international disarmament efforts, including discussions on the legal and ethical implications of autonomous weapons systems.

2. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): The ICRC is a leading humanitarian organization that works to protect and assist victims of armed conflict. They have published reports and guidelines on the legal and ethical considerations of autonomous weapons systems.

3. Human Rights Watch (HRW): HRW is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights issues. They have published reports and analysis on the legal challenges of autonomous weapons systems.

4. Campaign to Stop Killer Robots: This coalition of non-governmental organizations works to ban fully autonomous weapons systems. They provide information and resources on the legal and ethical implications of autonomous weapons.

5. International Humanitarian Law Research Initiative (IHLRI): This research initiative focuses on the legal aspects of armed conflict, including the use of autonomous weapons systems. They publish reports and analysis on the legal challenges of autonomous weapons.

International Law Sources:

- United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW): Protocol I prohibits the use of lasers against human bodies, which could have implications for autonomous weapons systems.
- Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction: Could be interpreted to include autonomous weapons systems that use biological agents.

National Law Sources:

- United States:
- Presidential Policy Directive 2 (PPD-2): Requires human oversight in the use of autonomous weapons systems.
- Department of Defense Directive 3000.09: Provides guidance on the development and use of autonomous weapons systems.
- United Kingdom:
- UK Manual on International Law: States that autonomous weapons systems should have human oversight.
- Defence Equipment and Support (DES) Code of Practice on Military Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Sets ethical and operational principles for the use of autonomous weapons systems.
- Other National Laws:
- Canada: Bill C-22 prohibits the development, production, acquisition, or possession of autonomous weapons systems.
- France: Law No. 2016-731 prohibits the use of lethal autonomous weapons systems without human intervention.

Reports and Studies:

- Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Examines the legal and ethical implications of autonomous weapons systems.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Study on Autonomous Weapons Systems: Provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical issues raised by autonomous weapons systems.
- Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic Report: "Fatal Autonomy": Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems: Argues that autonomous weapons systems violate international law.

Academic Publications:

- Autonomous Weapons Systems and International Law: A Critical Analysis by Christof Heyns, published in the European Journal of International Law.
- The Legal Status of Autonomous Weapons Systems Under International Law by Jens David Ohlin, published in the American Journal of International Law.
- The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons Systems by Michael N. Schmitt, published in the Journal of Military Ethics.

Organizations and Initiatives:

- Campaign to Stop Killer Robots: A global coalition advocating for a ban on autonomous weapons systems.
- International Committee for Robot Arms Control: An organization working to prevent the development of autonomous weapons systems.
- Rethink Robotics: A research center exploring the ethical and societal implications of autonomous technology.