John,

Autonomous weapons – or killer robots – have killed soldiers on the battlefield for the first time with no human oversight.

With reports of breakaway AI coming fast and furious, it’s a terrifying thing to consider; one of the worst AI nightmares of science fiction.

But governments are working, right now, on the first international treaty to prohibit killer robots.

With critical meetings weeks away, there’s a possibility we can stop the worst dystopian future. Or the treaty could get watered down to nothing by military states like the US and Russia.

Which way it goes may just depend on who gets to be in the room.

That’s why we urgently need your help. Our partners need to bring campaigners and experts from every region of the world to the meeting in Geneva – people who can hold states accountable, brief diplomats, and make sure the voices of the global majority aren't drowned out by the countries with the biggest weapons budgets.

If we all chip in now, we can prepare to unleash a wave of pressure at this critical moment for humanity. Can you chip in to stop killer robots before they stop us?

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The consensus rule that governs these negotiations means a small number of obstructive states can gut any agreement. The US, Russia, and Israel have used this repeatedly to block binding commitments.

But there's a window with the November conference fast-approaching. Campaigners need to be present and active from now through November — briefing states, generating research, and building the coalitions that make watering-down politically costly.

What’s more is that we know that diplomats WANT campaigners to be in the room to give them the support they need to produce a strong treaty. So we have to do everything we can to make sure that our side can get to the meetings in full force to give governments no excuse to sit back and do nothing at this critical moment.

This is not a situation where we can wait and see. If this conference concludes without a treaty, the next opportunity could be five years away — and autonomous weapons technology is not waiting five years.

Can you chip in to help make sure every government in Geneva hears from the people their decisions will affect – and stop killer robots before they stop us?

I'll donate $3I'll donate $4 I'll donate $5I'll donate $9I'll donate another amount

Your donation will help power Ekō and our campaigns worldwide fighting for people and the planet.