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Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War Reprint Edition
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Winner of the 2019 William E. Colby Award
"The book I had been waiting for. I can't recommend it highly enough." ―Bill Gates
The era of autonomous weapons has arrived. Today around the globe, at least thirty nations have weapons that can search for and destroy enemy targets all on their own. Paul Scharre, a leading expert in next-generation warfare, describes these and other high tech weapons systems―from Israel’s Harpy drone to the American submarine-hunting robot ship Sea Hunter―and examines the legal and ethical issues surrounding their use. “A smart primer to what’s to come in warfare” (Bruce Schneier), Army of None engages military history, global policy, and cutting-edge science to explore the implications of giving weapons the freedom to make life and death decisions. A former soldier himself, Scharre argues that we must embrace technology where it can make war more precise and humane, but when the choice is life or death, there is no replacement for the human heart.
- ISBN-100393356582
- ISBN-13978-0393356588
- EditionReprint
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateMarch 12, 2019
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- Print length448 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
― P.W. Singer, author of Wired for War and Ghost Fleet
"One of the most interesting books on military affairs that I have read in some time."
― Thomas E. Ricks, New York Times Book Review
"A must-read for anyone interested in AI and the future of warfare."
― Task & Purpose
"An authoritative and sobering perspective on the automated battlefields that will very soon come to characterize military conflict."
― Science
"In this comprehensive analysis, Scharre moves beyond the clichés of 'killer robots.'"
― Lawrence D. Freeman, Foreign Affairs
"Army of None delivers what will likely be the most important general-audience book on this topic for at least the next decade."
― Lawfare
"A one-stop guide book to the debates, the challenges, and yes, the opportunities that can come from autonomous warfare."
― Techcrunch
"A sober, policy-focused primer on what is coming…written in an interesting and accessible manner."
― War on the Rocks
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company
- Publication date : March 12, 2019
- Edition : Reprint
- Language : English
- Print length : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0393356582
- ISBN-13 : 978-0393356588
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #105,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #47 in Robotics & Automation (Books)
- #129 in Military Strategy History (Books)
- #207 in Artificial Intelligence & Semantics
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Paul Scharre is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds and Army of None. He is the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security. Scharre is a former Pentagon policy analyst and a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His first book, Army of None, won the 2019 Colby Award, was one of Bill Gates’ top five books of 2018, and was one of The Economist’s top five books to understand modern warfare. He has a PhD in war studies from King’s College London. Follow him on Twitter at @paul_scharre.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book fascinating and comprehensive, with one review noting how it integrates perspectives from many technical and other experts. Moreover, the book serves as a useful guide to the debate around autonomous weapons and provides an incredible view of the future of warfare. Additionally, they appreciate its coverage of AI use. However, the writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well written while others describe it as difficult to read.
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Customers find the book fascinating and a must-read, with one customer noting it is rich in content.
"...If you have an interest in the topic, I believe that the book will reward your time. Five stars." Read more
"...I gave the book three stars because it was content rich but needed better execution to achieve its mission - whatever that may have been." Read more
"...Though this book focuses on the weapons, the subject is still an eye opener. This book is well written and not boring at all." Read more
"A very interesting and exiting lecture. Will be difficult to know how much AI is enough not to alter our life...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's knowledge level, with one customer noting how it integrates perspectives from many technical and other experts, while another mentions it provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical standpoint.
"...interests you, Mr. Scharre's book provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical, technological and ethical perspective...." Read more
"...Eye opening account of where the military is heading, and the role of technology...." Read more
"...Army of N0ne attitude is to provide to reader real-life scenarios (e.g. case studies) while confronting him with various issues, such as ethics and..." Read more
"...Overall, a great introduction to this subject that will provide plenty of food for thought for even those who follow these issues." Read more
Customers appreciate the ethical content of the book, which serves as a useful guide to the debate around autonomous weapons and provides an incredible view of the future of warfare.
"...If also looks at the effectiveness of various weapons bans both in the last century and over hundreds of years...." Read more
"...This book definitely encompasses the whole spectrum of issues about autonomous weapons, including picking up bits from many high risk industries...." Read more
"This book is a comprehensive overview of autonomous weapons and how they will shape how war is conducted in the future, great for both specialists..." Read more
"A good survey of autonomous weapons issues with historical context...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's coverage of AI technology, with one customer highlighting its insights into AI issues, another noting its government perspectives, and a third emphasizing its importance for human beings.
"...military context, but it gives a great discussion and insight into the issues in using AI, leading to the AI ethics question...." Read more
"...and ability to discuss the military, science, and government perspectives on the use of AI. Awesome book" Read more
"The importance of AI for human beeing...." Read more
"Super relevant and informative discussion on AI in general..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others describe it as a difficult read.
"...I found the author to be very candid, well read, and open in his presentation of the present condition of autonomous weapons...." Read more
"...This book is well written and not boring at all." Read more
"...Finally, the writing style was workmanlike, which is acceptable but not helpful when such a complex issue is the subject...." Read more
"Well written book. Eye opening account of where the military is heading, and the role of technology...." Read more
Reviews with images

he has totally omitted US operations in Afghanistan in 2009-11
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseEste libro es muy valioso porque alerta sobre los peligros de las armas autónomas , pero también es realista sobre la inevitabilidad de esa tecnología y su uso por parte de naciones y grupos armados en todo el mundo. Que hacer? Cómo regularlas? Es un valioso documento de Paul Scharre para discutir entre políticos, comandantes, defensores de derechos humanos y la sociedad en general.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2018Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseAs a former U.S. Army ranger and a current Pentagon defense expert, Paul Scharre clearly explores the strategic, legal, and ethical pros and cons of the three degrees of autonomy, i.e. sophistication and intelligence, in weapons systems.
Autonomous weapon systems can be subdivided into:
1) semi-autonomous weapon systems (human in the loop), e.g. the homing munitions;
2) supervised autonomous weapon systems (human on the loop), e.g. the U.S. ship-based Aegis combat system;
3) fully autonomous operating weapon systems (human out of the loop), e.g., the Israeli Harpy.
Mr. Scharre convincingly demonstrates to his audience that artificial intelligence (AI) systems can outsmart humans in narrow tasks but fall short of humans in general intelligence. For example, the U.S.-led coalition lost several aircrafts due to U.S. Patriot fratricides during the second Gulf War. In reality, the blame for these fratricides was to be assigned to the weapon system …. and some of its human operators who lack the required critical mindset to make the right calls.
Furthermore, the degree of autonomy granted to weapon systems does not exist in a vacuum. It also depends on what the (potential) adversaries of the U.S. are able and willing to do for gaining an edge on the U.S. This arm race could ultimately undermine the idealized centaur model of human-machine teaming in war.
Unsurprisingly, some non-profit organizations and smaller states strive for deliberately banning fully autonomous weapons due to what they consider the accountability gap in their performance. Think for example about crisis stability, escalation control, and war termination. These non-profit organizations and smaller states consider the international humanitarian law (IHL) principles of distinction, proportionality, and other rules insufficient in the presence of fully autonomous weapons. In a nutshell, their template is the generally successful bans on land mines and cluster munitions. Alternatively, some form of regulations on the use of fully autonomous weapons could come from the countries with the most to lose from a total ban, i.e. those with the most advanced military.
In the meantime, technology in autonomous weapon systems presses forward at full speed.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2018Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseIf the effect of artificial intelligence on warfare interests you, Mr. Scharre's book provides a comprehensive review of the subject from a practical, technological and ethical perspective. The Army Futures Command has just opened its headquarters in Austin, Texas, with a plan to ensure that the Army is prepared to fight the wars of the future. If this book is not on their reading list, it should be.
Here are a few of the topics that the book covers. First, U.S. Army Ranger Scharre addresses the importance of "context" in combat by drawing on some of his experiences in combat in Afghanistan. The 7 year old girl sent by possibly hostile Afghans to recon his unit's position during an operation in Afghanistan. Under the definitions of war Ranger Scharre and his unit could have shot her, but they didn't because she looked to be about 7 years old. Would an autonomous weapon with the power to kill have made the same decision? Probably not.
The book examines the question of "what is autonomy?" Not all nations define it the same way. What weapons have been built and used that could be considered autonomous. Some exist. Robots and drones - how are these being developed by the Pentagon and by private parties using off-the-shelf parts and software.
Can autonomous weapons be used safely and, if they are used, what are the risks? Speed may be critical. If your opponent uses weapons that simply act faster than any human could, the likelihood is that other combatants will use these weapons as well.
Does mankind "summon the demon" by building and deploying these machines? The book has a lengthy review of the parties and persons fighting to ban these weapons. If also looks at the effectiveness of various weapons bans both in the last century and over hundreds of years. Arms control has a very mixed history.
One possible development may be the centaur warfighter - man plus machine. How do we control the warfighting capacities of machines with ever more capable artificial intelligence? My sense is that the range of outcomes will be tilted from "only with great difficulty" to "we can't."
I was surprised by some of the information in the book, but I hadn't looked at the subject before. I found the author to be very candid, well read, and open in his presentation of the present condition of autonomous weapons. If you have an interest in the topic, I believe that the book will reward your time. Five stars.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI read widely on AI and selected this book due to its ratings and a sample. My background includes ten years as a designer of control and safety systems for complex processes. This book definitely encompasses the whole spectrum of issues about autonomous weapons, including picking up bits from many high risk industries. These end up scattered about like little nuggets. There is significant discussion of the ethics and morals of accidents, and some of the politics of controlling technology.
I found this a difficult read. Though the sections appeared to break this down into specific areas, the content within each section was often a mix of material that logically could have been elsewhere. There didn't appear to be an obvious reason for the ordering of the sections. Finally, the writing style was workmanlike, which is acceptable but not helpful when such a complex issue is the subject.
I gave the book three stars because it was content rich but needed better execution to achieve its mission - whatever that may have been.
Top reviews from other countries
- MantelloReviewed in Italy on March 4, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Company and Book Lovers
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseLove this company. They shipped the book with so much love and care. Will definitely use them again.
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octavio herreraReviewed in Mexico on November 25, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesante
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMuy enfocado al pinto de vista humano y toda la disyuntiva qué hay sobre el uso de sistemas autónomos . Lo interesante es que ni los organismos ni empresas que desarrollan dichos sistemas tienen claro o definido que es en si un sistema autónomo
- laurent dancygierReviewed in Canada on February 3, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIt is a well documented reflexion. I enjoyed it and recommand it.
However I think two things:
As capital concentration is growing there will be a growing demand from states and elites To have autonomous weapons available To them To protect social stability
As contractors are playing an always bigger role in wars and security, there will be a growing demand for automated tools To increase productivity of the work force, I.e. for automation and autonomous tools.
One person found this helpfulReport -
HamaNekoReviewed in Japan on January 22, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars AI兵器は許されるか?
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase今後、AIを使用した兵器が広く使用され、第一次、二時世界大戦の様な、国民戦争(カイヨワ)は起きない、と予想されている。
こうした状況を背景に、本書では、この分野の専門家である著者が、AI兵器の例、その能力、過去の事故例などについて説明しながら、AI兵器の問題、課題について説明している。
現在のAIの知能はニューロンの数で測ると、モルモット程度である。モルモットが誘導するミサイル、ドローン、地上、海上、海中ロボット兵器が信頼できないのは明らかである。本書でも過去の事故の例をあげて、具体的に説明されている。
更に、(1)AI兵器は、核の抑止力により、実際の核戦争はおきなかった様に、抑止の効果をもつか?(2)AI兵器の信頼度と誤動作(味方や非軍人を攻撃するなど)の可能性はどの程度あるか?(3)人間の関与により、この問題は解決できるか?(4)そもそも戦争における倫理とはなにか?などの課題、問題が提示されている。
- Piyush ShahReviewed in India on August 11, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Timely Delivery
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseFrankly, it is waiting to be read!