As Manchester, England, sets its sights on a future of machine-based manufacturing, I am pleased to introduce a new machine: the Self-Acting Mule. The Self-Acting Mule that I have created is unique in that it does not require the hand of a skilled laborer; it is a fully powered machine and is ready to act on its own to produce thread of remarkable quality. As we as a society enter into a period of economic transition based on large-scale industry, I am certain that modern technology will bring a vast array of advantages to the table for Manchester society as a whole.

I never could have anticipated that a seemingly eccentric class assignment in an Ethics, Technology and Violence course would become the catalyst for my decision to pursue a legal education and career in international law. This assignment was a two-week, in-class simulation titled “Rage Against the Machine: Technology, Rebellion, and the Industrial Revolution.” This simulation afforded our class the opportunity to delve into the social, ethical, and political ramifications of rapid technological change on a more personal level, as we assumed the role of a historical character from 19th-century Manchester, England, impacted by the transforming textile industry.

As players of this “game,” we were faced with different choices on how to go about our lives at the onset of the Industrial Revolution. I took on the role of Richard Roberts, a wheelwright; I was a member of the craftsman faction and the working class. My position within this simulation was unique, in that in 1824, I had invented the machine that would transform the Manchester economy, the “Self-Acting Mule.” What our class saw throughout the simulation was that while this and other technologies promised national prestige and increased capital, they also completely shifted the economic base of numerous countries; these advancements were seen as destructive to the livelihoods of working-class individuals employed in cottage industries, as their jobs were taken away in the process.

After the simulation had ended, I took some time to think about why my teacher might have had us participate in this “game.” What I came to understand was that the ambivalence our characters felt about the advanced technology in the 19th century has parallels to present times. More specifically, the presence of AI, drones, and other autonomous systems in the 21st century, though beneficial in some respects, has the potential to shift the cognitive frameworks of international relations and international conflict, especially if there is no international code of conduct or law that regulates these advancements.

I explored these questions further in the final research paper I wrote for this course, in which I did a deep dive into the ethics of the weaponized use of unoccupied aerial vehicles (drone warfare) for targeted killings in the Middle East during the Obama administration. I argued that principles of the just-war tradition, a code of military ethics which sets forth a framework for war-like conduct that is considered morally justifiable, were violated in many cases of this administration’s drone practices in the Middle East. This is concerning because violations of just-war principles by a global superpower weaken existing laws and traditions. I concluded that it is necessary that changes be made to these existing principles of war in order to accommodate new technology. I also argued for the development of an international code of conduct for armed drones. Otherwise, the continued application of drones may lead to more widespread assassinations and a future of violent conflict between state and non-state actors.

Because technological advancements like AI are so new and unprecedented, there are limited laws in place to protect humans from the potential violence of this technology. The first international resolution regarding AI was only adopted by the UN in March 2024. The strong parallels between the simulation in my politics class and today’s technological developments have motivated me to pursue a career in international law to contribute to the legal field in a way that protects humans and limits harm globally from this ever-evolving technology.

My desire for a career in international law is deeply rooted in my academic pursuits. I have always been fascinated by geopolitics and the ways in which countries interact with one another on a global stage; my coursework on topics of US foreign policy in the Middle East, international law, and ethics, including the “Rage Against the Machine” simulation, reaffirmed these interests. I am drawn to the realization that my work as an international lawyer will directly contribute to fostering peaceful relations between sovereign states and promote justice on a global scale