The ambivalence of multi-purpose design
On the dual-use and misuse risks of humanitarian UAVs
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21787628 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Martina Philippi (0000-0002-0724-1806, Paderborn University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Research Ethics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1747-0161 • E-ISSN: 2047-6094 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/17470161251344321 |
| OpenAlex | W4412147451 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
The development of UAVs with life-sign detection in the search-and-rescue (SAR) context challenges the assessment and mitigation of dual-use and misuse risks. Those technologies can be characterized as modularly constructed technologies (MCTs): They consist of highly specific components like sensors, UAV hardware, and often AI-supported software, and those components are designed in a way that makes them exchangeable and easy to implement. Therefore, the MCTs can be efficiently adapted for different purposes. From this situation, special dual-use challenges emerge. The recently finished project UAV-Rescue shall serve as an example for the development and assessment scenario of such an MCT from the SAR context. Referring to a recent paper from the context of autonomous driving, the contribution shows some mutual observations but goes further by (1) exploring the characteristics of MCTs that lead to special challenges in the assessment and mitigation of dual-use risks and (2) proposing a different way of dealing with these challenges. The central thesis is that MCTs cannot be addressed satisfactorily with a classic framework for dual-use classification and corresponding regulation. These are not just new types of technologies that also bear a dual-use risk among other risks, but a whole new type of highly complex technology that is designed to be adapted quickly and efficiently to different application scenarios. The paper argues that, even if it is difficult or impossible to mitigate those dual-use risks in MCTs with methods applied so far, it is highly important to provide a systematic analysis of the gains and losses that are caused by this technology. This is important to understand the irreversible impact of such developments in the sense of technology assessment on the one hand, and on the other hand to weigh costs against benefits in a circumspect and careful manner
Ambivalence · Art · Business · Computer security · Dual purpose · Humanitarian aid · Political science · Computer Science · Engineering · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · Space exploration and regulation
What is an emerging technology?
Collingridge and the dilemma of control
Ethical concerns in rescue robotics
Dual-Use and Trustworthy? A Mixed Methods Analysis of AI Diffusion Between Civilian and Defense R&D
Drones and Terrorism
Banning Autonomous Weapons
Agent-Based Models of Dual-Use Research Restrictions
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |