Carl Vander Maelen

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Carl Vander Maelen is a legal scholar whose work sits at the volatile intersection of emerging technology, international law, and human rights. His primary research focuses on the regulation of lethal autonomous weapons systems—often called "killer robots"—and the pressing legal and ethical challenges they pose to existing frameworks of armed conflict. Vander Maelen’s most influential contribution, "Killer Robots: Lethal Autonomous Weapons and International Law" (2021), critically examines how Asimov’s fictional Three Laws of Robotics fall short when confronting the real-world complexities of autonomous warfare. By dissecting the gaps between science fiction and international humanitarian law, he argues that current legal structures are dangerously unprepared for machines that can select and engage targets without human intervention. Though his citation count of 3 reflects a niche but growing field, his work is foundational for policymakers, military ethicists, and legal practitioners grappling with the urgent need for new treaties. Vander Maelen’s scholarship is notable for bridging pop culture and jurisprudence, making dense legal theory accessible to a broader audience. For students and researchers, his work offers a critical lens on how law must evolve to govern the weapons of tomorrow.