Concerns Are Growing About Free-Thinking Killer Robots

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Listen, I'm fully aware that companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon control my life. They know everything about me and my information has probably been sent and sold to every corner of the earth. Whatever. I want that 2-day free delivery, I wanna find out what Buffy: The Vampire Slayer character I am, and I don't know any information unless Google tells me about it. At least that technology isn't violent... yet.

Turns out there's a Campaign To Stop Killer Robots that's gaining more attention lately.  They're essentially a coalition of 30 countries and countless other non-government entities that want to stop the creation of autonomous weapons, also known as "killer robots who can think for themselves". They believe those robots post a grave threat to the future of humanity.

Sure, we've all probably heard "Asimov’s Three Laws" in SciFi movies that are supposed to protect us from robots:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

But some scientists are pretty sure those rules won't actually do a damn thing to protect us.

It's reported that 97 countries have at least discussed the issue of 'killer robots' since the Campaign launched in 2013.  So while Japan is currently testing out a real, 60-foot walking mech/Gundam robot (as recent as last week), it should be no surprise why someone is raising their hand again to think about whether or not it's a good idea.

It's worth nothing that two countries have "firmly rejected" all proposals in regards to autonomous robots: Russia and the United States. I've seen the movie Robot Jox.