L to R: Liliana Edzards, Lauren Kube, and Macy Hayes
In May 2025, students Liliana Edzards ’27, Macy Hayes ’25, and Lauren Kube ’25, along with Professor of Political Science Matthew Bolton, PhD, presented a report to the United Nations, calling on diplomats and advocates to discuss issues of potential assistance to victims of autonomous weapons and remediation of contaminated environments. Hayes and Kube helped Bolton write the report, with Edzards drawing the report’s illustrations.
The student-faculty team’s presentation was timely, as governments had been meeting May 12–13 to discuss the potential humanitarian, human rights, ethical, legal, and security risks from autonomous weapons systems or “killer robots.” Such emerging high-tech weapons would be capable of using force without meaningful human control. Of particular concern are the threats of discriminatory biases embedded in military uses of artificial intelligence (AI).
Some of the questions presented by Bolton and his students include: If an autonomous weapon sinks a ship, who would be responsible for addressing the resulting pollution and environmental injustices? And, if civilians are harmed or disabled by the use of an autonomous armed drone, how might we secure their medical care and rehabilitation?
In October 2024, Layne Davis ’25, Peace and Justice Studies, Political Science, delivered a statement to the United Nations General Assembly First Committee, which considers issues of disarmament and international security. The statement called for greater engagement in youth inclusion and disarmament education.
In consultation with partners around the world, it was drafted by Bolton and Associate Professor Emily Welty, PhD, co-directors of Dyson College’s International Disarmament Institute, a collaboration between the Peace and Justice Studies and Political Science programs.
Students who contributed to the drafting process include Rachel Kohley ’27, Political Science; Zachary Powers ’26, Economics, Political Science; Teresa Siniak ’24, Communication and Media Studies; Chloe Stout ’26, Political Science; and Marlene Thomas ’25, Peace and Justice Studies, students in Bolton’s POL297L Global Politics of Disarmament and Arms Control course. The class, which counts for civic engagement credit, brings students to the UN in small groups, allowing them the opportunity to monitor discussions in the First Committee.
Congratulations to all participants for their fine work and representing Pace very professionally in a diplomatic forum.
