Paul Scharre
Paul Scharre is a prominent author, commentator, and technology expert who has written extensively on the changing face of warfare and the ethical implications of new technology. He has written several bestselling books, including Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War, a highly acclaimed treatise on the potential of autonomous weapons system, from tanks to drones, to reshape the face of warfare. Scharre also serves as the Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
Scharre first became involved with the military more than two decades ago when he joined the United States Army in 2000, undoubtedly setting the stage for the rest of his career. He trained and served with the 3rd Special Forces Group in Georgia, then went on to become an Army Ranger and deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terror. His military service marked an important foundation for his work and activism in the years to come, as he developed first-hand knowledge and a deep understanding of the nuanced issues involved in modern warfare.
In 2008, Scharre left the military to pursue a law degree at American University and a master’s degree in strategic studies at the Naval War College. He then joined the defense giant Lockheed Martin, eventually becoming their lead robotics engineer, and later the director of the CNAS’s Technology and National Security Program. Since then, he has served as a contributor and commentator on the ethical implications of new technology, writing books and articles on topics ranging from emerging technologies and the future of artificial intelligence, to the importance of international norm-setting on autonomous weapons systems.
Scharre’s work has been recognized far and wide for its broad scope and depth of technical detail. His book, Army of None, in particular, has been strongly praised for unifying seemingly complex and disparate topics into an understandable, comprehensive whole. In it, he provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of military technology, from the role of robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the politics and ethical considerations surrounding autonomous weapons systems. He delves into the history of autonomous weapons, assesses the arguments for and against their use, and outlines potential solutions, includingsupporting treaty-based restrictions. His ultimate suggestion is that a framework of accountability, transparency, and responsibility is needed to ensure that autonomous weapons systems are used appropriately and ethically.
Scharre’s other books include Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda, which dives into the US government’s ongoing warfare against terror, and Unmanned: Drone Warfare and Global Security, a comprehensive look at the changing role of drones and their implications for national and international security. His latest book, Beyond Blood and Land, is a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical and legal implications of new technologies like drones, autonomous robots, and even computer networks.
Paul Scharre’s work is sure to continue to shine a light on some of the most pressing topics of our time—namely, the high-stakes implications and unforeseen consequences of our increasingly automated, technology-driven world. He is undoubtedly one of the most highly regarded voices in the contemporary discourse on security, ethics and defense, and is certain to remain a leader in his field for years to come.
