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Are ‘killer robots’ the future of warfare?

Suzanne Kianpour asks whether humanity is giving decision-making in war to machines, and what the consequences could be.

Could humans ever trust machines with the power to make life or death decisions on the battlefield? And have we already begun to?

Advances in artificial intelligence are slowly creeping into almost every aspect of the world, including warfare. Suzanne Kianpour explores the technology, fears and even potential advantages of developing autonomous weapons.

Producers: Nathan Gower and Viv Jones

(Mock-up of the IAI Harop Drone, a loitering munition. Credit: Aviation-images.com/Getty Images)

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23 minutes

Last on

Thu 25 Mar 202123:06GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 25 Mar 202102:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 25 Mar 202108:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 25 Mar 202115:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 25 Mar 202118:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Thu 25 Mar 202123:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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  • The Inquiry

    The Inquiry explores the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world