The Humanity of Drones
Intensive Production – Assessment 1
What are drones?
• Unmanned combat aerial vehicles, or drones as
they are commonly known, are a technological
advancement. These drones allow humans to
engage in air combat without them needing to be
physically there. This allows for humans to carry
out the same practices they would in manned
aircraft. Unmanned combat drones are in most
cases armed, normally with missiles. Drones for
the most part, are always under real time human
control. With the humans’ role in the
system, according to levels of autonomy, and data
communication requirements.
Why are drones used instead of
manned aircraft?
Drones can fly for longer periods of time, than
manned aircraft as the same requirements are
not needed in order to fly. As a result, more can
be achieved. Plus, longer missions can be carried
out, such as longer periods of surveillance. This
removes the need for multiple manned aircraft
to be used for the same purpose, and can allow
for improved human productivity.
Main Focus of Documentary
• Humanness
•
Some people believe the remote controlled nature of drone use, means that moral
judgements are less considered. This is because lack of physical presence dehumanises
targets, making them become like something out of a computer game. As well as this,
removal of physical presence means that the drone pilots can become desensitised.
This is due to them operating out of air - conditioned rooms and not being able to feel
real life impacts. These factors challenge existing notions of humanness as removal
from the physical environment of the aircraft causes us to lose a sense of feeling and
emotion. Traits commonly associated with defining as human beings.
• Artificial Intelligence
Trailer
• https://www.wevideo.com/view/761959343
Documentary Structure – Key Points
• Interview with a member of Drone Wars UK and
Drone Campaign Network
• Public Opinion
• Existing Footage
• Footage from RAF Waddington (UK Drone Base)
• Facts and Figures on screen
• 6 – 8 minutes long
• Ending thought on future of drones and artificial
intelligence
Chris Cole – Potential Interview
Campaigns that drones are
unethical and effective. In a speech
at the Oxford Union, Cole talks
about a civilian air strike carried out
by US drones in 2010 which killed
23 civilians. In the subsequent
investigation by the US government
they discovered the main cause for
the airstrike was the
bias/propensity of the predator
crew to kinetic operations. The crew
were even told that the targets did
not look like they were a threat but
still went ahead. Cole uses the term
‘Playstation mentality’ and believes
there is evidence of it but he feels
there is a requirement for much
more information on the day to to
day use of drones.
References
• Bloomberg (2013) Five Reasons Why Drones Are Here to Stay. Available at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2013-05-23/five-reasons-whydrones-are-here-to-stay (Accessed: 18 October 2015)
• Gibbs, S. (2015) Musk, Wozniak and hawking urge ban on warfare AI and
autonomous weapons [online]. The Guardian. 28 July. Available from:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/27/musk-wozniakhawking-ban-ai-autonomous-weapons [Accessed 10 December 2015].
• Hendy, D. (2012) Droning On – What does the expansion in Britain’s UAV
force mean? Institute of Opinion II Opinionated Political and Economic
Debate. Available at:
http://www.instituteofopinion.com/2012/11/droning-on-what-does-theexpansion-in-britains-uav-force-mean/ (Accessed – 18th October 2015).
• Musgrave, Z. & Roberts, B.W. (2015) Why humans need to ban artificially
intelligent weapons [online]. 14 August. Available from:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/08/humans-notrobots-are-the-real-reason-artificial-intelligence-is-scary/400994/
[Accessed 10 December 2015].
References
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree
/2016/may/11/debate-drone-killings-militaryconflict-committee
• http://commonwealthprojects.com/project/omer-fast-5000-feet-isthe-best/
• http://www.rocofilms.com/film.php?code=BIR
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