Impact
The value dimension of defence engineering is important for further development, social acceptance and moral acceptability of defence technological innovations and military operations. We specialise in teasing out how social value systems interact with and influence the research, design and development of emerging military and security technology.
From autonomous weapon systems and robots to drones and cybersecurity enhancement systems, we explore the questions of the interdependence of technology and governance in both military and civil contexts. Using a unique methodology, we’re building systems that are more effective, efficient and better accepted by society to help support the defence industry.
We aim to be the global leader in the value dimension of weapon systems and security engineering research and analysis. We are committed to encouraging responsible design, innovation and technology deployment in the defence and security space. We are particularly interested in emerging technologies including:
- lethal autonomous weapons systems
- drones
- artificial intelligence
- big data
- blockchain
- military human enhancement
- space and quantum computing.
We are pursuing these goals by:
- aligning trusted technology with societal values and user requirements to prevent technology from being misused, underutilised, or no longer used
- providing an enhanced understanding of user requirements in the capability development lifecycle
- better aligning technology with societal values, and limiting negative PR.
Competitive Advantage
- Proven experience working with trusted autonomous systems
- Australia’s first and only team dedicated to inserting specific organisational values into emerging military and security products and services to enhance outcomes and user experience within the armed forces
- Expertise influencing the regulation of trusted technologies at the national and international level, including United Nations regulatory efforts
- Demonstrated experience positively managing the media’s coverage of trusted technologies
- A unique value-sensitive design method proven to yield better design outcomes than non-value sensitive processes
Successful Applications
- A$1 million study of the ethical and legal implications of the development of trusted autonomous systems
- Multi-million-dollar long-term program for embedding ethics and law into the design of future autonomous weapons