The good news: Canada says humans must always be part of the decision to kill. The bad news: nobody can define what that means, the US just voted against a UN resolution banning killer robots, and Pete Hegseth wants the Pentagon to be an “AI-first warfighting force.”

Sam talks to an AI researcher, an underwater robot CEO, a defence contractor who tells it like it is, and an ethicist who somehow remains hopeful. 

Have a tip? [email protected]

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Jason Millar, Randy Goebel

Background reading:

• For Canada, the march of the killer robots is getting hard to avoid | The Logic
• Judge temporarily blocks Pentagon’s blacklist of AI company Anthropic | CBC News
• At Canada’s biggest weapons show, the soldiers were the target | Globe and Mail
• Canada’s largest arms expo drawing record turnout as Ottawa boosts defence spending

Go to Canadaland.com/live to find out more about our live show, June 18th at the Halifax Convention Centre! 

Sponsors: 

Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland

Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!

Head to squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use OFFER CODE:Canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, y’all called to chat with host Sam Konnert about your favourite story.

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.