***Apologies for cross-posting*** Bristol Digital Future Institute on 10 July, 5pm-7:30 (BST) (hybrid) We invite researchers, students, policy makers, educators and journalists to participate. Register free: Book Launch: The Realities of Autonomous Weapons (headfirstbristol.co.uk)<https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-digital-futures-institute/thu-10-jul-book-launch-the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons-130828#e130828> ________________________________ The development of autonomous weapon systems has been subject to intense discussions for years. Numerous political, academic or legal institutions debate the consequences and risks that arise from these technologies, particularly their ethical, social and political implications. Despite this public prominence, it often remains surprisingly unclear which technology is evoked by the term autonomous weapon systems. It can refer to drones, flight carriers, unmanned aerial, ground or maritime vehicles, robots and robot soldiers or cyberweapons. The rationale of “The Realities of Autonomous Weapons” maintains that the issues in question can only be understood by acknowledging the constant and complex dynamic between the actual technological developments and the visions and virtual scenarios that are associated with them. For this reason, the perspectives taken in the book foreground the different realities of autonomous weapon systems, ranging from popular culture, war scenarios, new media environments to technical precursors. This sheds a light on how autonomous weapon systems are constructed as both a technological reality and a futuristic possibility. The event invites the audience to discuss the full scope of this controversial technology, showing how autonomous weapon systems mediate between reality, imagination, possibility and fiction. We welcome people from 5pm, when some snacks and drinks will be provided. We will start the discussion at 5.30PM The event will be hybrid. We have unlimited online spaces but limited physical capacity! Please register early to secure your space. *** Panelists: Lucy Suchman (University of Lancaster / ICRAC) Thomas Christian Bächle (Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society Berlin) Jascha Bareis (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Moderator: Ola Michalec (University of Bristol) Printed edition available via Bristol University Press: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons Digital edition available open access: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons Entry requirements: no age restrictions Book Launch: The Realities of Autonomous Weapons (headfirstbristol.co.uk)<https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-digital-futures-institute/thu-10-jul-book-launch-the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons-130828#e130828> [https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/images/events/1308/e130828_i262688_s4.jpg]<https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-digital-futures-institute/thu-10-jul-book-launch-the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons-130828#e130828> Book Launch: The Realities of Autonomous Weapons tickets — 0p | Bristol Digital Futures Institute, Bristol<https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-digital-futures-institute/thu-10-jul-book-launch-the-realities-of-autonomous-weapons-130828#e130828> The development of autonomous weapon systems has been subject to intense discussions for years. Numerous political, academic or legal institutions debate the consequences and risks that arise from these technologies, particularly their ethical, social and political implications. Despite this public prominence, it often remains surprisingly unclear which technology is evoked by the term ... www.headfirstbristol.co.uk Bahar Muller Senior Marketing Executive Bristol University Press has won the Independent Academic and Professional Publisher of the Year 2024 award.<https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/bup-has-won-the-independent-academic-and-professional-publisher-of-the-year-for-2024?utm_source=signature&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=BUP-email-signature> New this month Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything<https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/basic-income?utm_source=signature&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=BUP-email-signature> by Matthew Johnson, Kate Pickett, Daniel Nettle, Howard Reed, Elliott Johnson and Ian Robson Timebomb: When Ageing Explodes<https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/timebomb?utm_source=signature&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=BUP-email-signature> by Giles Merritt Our charity for 2025 is Bristol Refugee Rights. 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