Robotics Prof Fears Rise of Military Robots

An anonymous reader writes "Interesting video interview on silicon.com with Sheffield University's Noel Sharkey, professor of AI & robotics. The white-haired prof talks state-of-the-robot-nation — discussing the most impressive robots currently clanking about on two-legs (hello Asimo) and who's doing the most interesting things in UK robotics research (something involving crickets apparently). He also voices concerns about military use of robots — suggesting it won't be long before armies are sending out fully autonomous killing machines."

Comments

skynet

[el_tedward]

okay, where's the tag?

Wernstrom Killbots...

[Anonymous Coward]

Do these killbots come with a machine gun AND Lotus Notes?

Re:"Friendly AI"

[Ethanol-fueled]

Indiscriminately fire at anything that moves. Isn't that Blackwater's* job?

* er, Xe Services LLC.

If You Watch the Whole Video

[eldavojohn]

Am I the only one who picked up on his visual cues that indicate this is the first time he's been out of his lab in over a year? Look at how tired and emaciated he is. Also, I think there's bar code tattoo on his inner arm that -- if you lift the image and scan it -- reads "HUMAN 00001" which is kind of disconcerting. The part at the end where he holds up the captcha that reads "HELP, PLEASE HELP ME" was a dead giveaway. While his voice and text was overly positive towards the proliferation of his "sleek metal masters" I believe his body language indicated otherwise.

Re:If You Watch the Whole Video

[Captain Hook]

there's bar code tattoo on his inner arm that -- if you lift the image and scan it -- reads "HUMAN 00001" which is kind of disconcerting.

Disconcerting indeed since they apperently don't see the need for more than 99,999 humans worldwide. Presumably they want to keep a few of us alive to do the jobs which no self-respecting robot would ever want to do.

Re:Terminator LOL

[dangitman]

Yes, the future is either going to be biologically engineered disaster of zombies, or robots that get programmed for peace keeping by killing all humans.

Why the false dichotomy? It could just as likely be zombie robots, or robot zombies.

Good Idea

[outsider007]

Automating the death panel process is a good way to save taxpayers money.
Also since robots eat old people's medicine for food, they will basically be self-powered.

Building artificially intelligent killing machines

[meldroc]

What could possibly go wrong? I mean, we've had a whole 150,000 years since the last time we built Cylons and they rebelled, attempting genocide against the human race. Surely it can't happen again...

Something involving crickets - or krikkits?

[jools33]

This must be a typo - I'm sure UK robotic scientists are investigating krikkits and their imminent return to collect the ashes.

Re:Fully autonomous killing machines

[drinkypoo]

Autonomous untill they run out of power or ammo.

Humans run out of power and ammo, too. Humans, however, can only eat food.

Humans will always be better than machines at killing humans (unfortunately), machines can only simulate our thinking...

They could simulate yours fairly trivially. You don't need anything as smart as a human to kill humans. It only has to be able to move and kill, it doesn't need to be able to change a diaper or cook spaghetti.