Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), which some have dubbed as ‘killer robots’, raise legal, ethical and practical questions regarding their potential deployment in the battlefield. LAWS will be a subject of discussion at the 2015 Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons later this year. This seminar will explore some of the legal challenges posed by LAWS, including in the context of international humanitarian law.

Diwaka Prakash works in the Legal Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He provides international legal advice to a range of stakeholders across the public service. His main areas of expertise include conventional weapons, nuclear non-proliferation, cyber and space issues. He has represented Australia at a number of multilateral meetings on the Arms Trade Treaty, and at international cyber conferences. He served at the Australian Embassy in Chile from 2010-2013. 

RSVP is essential for entry into DFAT.