How close are we to fully automated weaponry? Are there actual killer robots out there right now, ready to fight wars?
Last week a group of high-profile robotics scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs warned in an open letter that without a blanket international treaty outlawing autonomous weapons systems — aka military machines capable of selecting and engaging targets without the need for human intervention — an artificial intelligence arms race could be upon us within years, not decades. In the letter they call for the immediate ban of these weapons. To date, more than 18,000 people have co-signed.
We talked to four experts in the field of global politics, defense and artificial intelligence: Matthew Bolton of Pace University, David Akerson of the University of Denver, Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and Noel Sharkey of the University of Sheffield.
READ MORE: PBS Newshour