Marcel Dickow

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Marcel Dickow is a leading voice in the ethics and governance of emerging military technologies, with a primary focus on the regulation of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). His work is foundational in shaping policy debates around "human control" in warfare, arguing that meaningful regulation must begin with clear, operational definitions—a contribution that has influenced German and international defense strategy. His most cited paper (2019, 7 citations) makes a compelling case for preventive regulation, urging the German government to lead by example in outlawing lethal autonomous systems. In earlier work (2013, 2 citations), Dickow critically examined the proliferation of combat drones, challenging the assumption that replacing manned aircraft with MALE UAVs is a neutral technological shift. By framing these systems as "flying robots," he sparked essential conversations about moral responsibility and the risks of automation in armed conflict. Though his citation counts are modest, Dickow’s influence is deeply felt in security policy circles, where his clear-eyed, principled arguments continue to inform the responsible development and control of autonomous weapons.