1. Intensive Production – Assessment 1
The Humanity of Drones
Intensive Production – Assessment 1

2. What are drones?
Unmanned combat aerial vehicles, or drones as they are commonly known, are a technological advancement. These drones allow humans to engage in air combat without them needing to be physically there. This allows for humans to carry out the same practices they would in manned aircraft. Unmanned combat drones are in most cases armed, normally with missiles. Drones for the most part, are always under real time human control. With the humans’ role in the system, according to levels of autonomy, and data communication requirements.

3. Why are drones used instead of manned aircraft?
Drones can fly for longer periods of time, than manned aircraft as the same requirements are not needed in order to fly. As a result, more can be achieved. Plus, longer missions can be carried out, such as longer periods of surveillance. This removes the need for multiple manned aircraft to be used for the same purpose, and can allow for improved human productivity.

4. Main Focus of Documentary
Humanness
Some people believe the remote controlled nature of drone use, means that moral judgements are less considered. This is because lack of physical presence dehumanises targets, making them become like something out of a computer game. As well as this, removal of physical presence means that the drone pilots can become desensitised. This is due to them operating out of air - conditioned rooms and not being able to feel real life impacts. These factors challenge existing notions of humanness as removal from the physical environment of the aircraft causes us to lose a sense of feeling and emotion. Traits commonly associated with defining as human beings.
Artificial Intelligence

5. Trailer

6. Documentary Structure – Key Points
Interview with a member of Drone Wars UK and Drone Campaign Network
Public Opinion
Existing Footage
Footage from RAF Waddington (UK Drone Base)
Facts and Figures on screen
6 – 8 minutes long
Ending thought on future of drones and artificial intelligence

7. Chris Cole – Potential Interview
Campaigns that drones are unethical and effective. In a speech at the Oxford Union, Cole talks about a civilian air strike carried out by US drones in 2010 which killed 23 civilians. In the subsequent investigation by the US government they discovered the main cause for the airstrike was the bias/propensity of the predator crew to kinetic operations. The crew were even told that the targets did not look like they were a threat but still went ahead. Cole uses the term ‘Playstation mentality’ and believes there is evidence of it but he feels there is a requirement for much more information on the day to to day use of drones.

8. References
Bloomberg (2013) Five Reasons Why Drones Are Here to Stay. Available at: (Accessed: 18 October 2015)
 Gibbs, S. (2015) Musk, Wozniak and hawking urge ban on warfare AI and autonomous weapons [online]. The Guardian. 28 July. Available from: [Accessed 10 December 2015].
 Hendy, D. (2012) Droning On – What does the expansion in Britain’s UAV force mean? Institute of Opinion II Opinionated Political and Economic Debate. Available at: (Accessed – 18th October 2015).
Musgrave, Z. & Roberts, B.W. (2015) Why humans need to ban artificially intelligent weapons [online]. 14 August. Available from: [Accessed 10 December 2015].

9. References