Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari is pushing to prevent the city’s police department from acquiring artificial intelligence-powered weapons capable of using lethal force without direct human oversight. The proposal raises important questions about the role of autonomous technology in policing and public safety.
The measure, known as the H.A.L.T. Act, short for Human Authority over Lethal Technology, would prohibit the Atlanta Police Department from purchasing or otherwise obtaining autonomous weapons systems that can kill without a human controlling the use of lethal force.
Bakhtiari said the proposal was prompted in part by a recent announcement from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the creation of an “Autonomous Warfare Command.” She warned that technologies developed for military use could eventually find their way into municipal policing if local governments do not establish safeguards.
The council member has emphasized that the initiative is intended to preserve human accountability when decisions involve the use of deadly force. Her proposal reflects broader concerns about allowing automated systems to make life-or-death decisions without meaningful human intervention.
The debate comes as police departments and government agencies increasingly consider artificial intelligence for surveillance, security and operational support. While some technologies may assist officers, autonomous weapons present distinct questions about accountability, oversight, safety and the potential consequences of technical failures.
The proposal does not amount to a citywide ban on artificial intelligence. Its focus is specifically on autonomous weapons capable of lethal force, rather than every AI tool that law enforcement might use.
The measure is expected to go before Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety and Finance committees for consideration. Atlanta police had not immediately provided a public response to media requests at the time of the initial report.
If adopted, the H.A.L.T. Act would establish a local restriction on the acquisition of these weapons and place Atlanta among the communities confronting how to govern increasingly powerful technologies. The proposal also adds to a growing public conversation about ensuring that human judgment and responsibility remain central when public safety decisions can cost lives.
