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Threat of killer robots?

Posted at 9:36 PM, Jun 02, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-02 21:36:33-04

We see advanced technology in movies all the time, but what's real life going to look like as technology advances?

Akita Shubert takes a look at one aspect - a futuristic danger in Hollywood films like the Terminator.

Now a big enough threat to warrant a United Nations debate.

Robotic technology has already advanced to levels that wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi blockbuster.

These robots developed by the Pentagon can climb stairs, detect and avoid obstacles - and even correct themselves if you push them around.

Robots are getting close to being able to do the physical tasks that we can do, and more.

It's only a matter of time before they appear on the battlefield.

Machine technology is already being used to kill.

We've seen that in drone stirkes against the taliban and other terrorist groups - but behind the drone technology there's still a human being calling the shots.

Giving robots the power to make those life or death decisions themselves is what the U.N. is discussing.

A computer's ability to analyze and think is improving all the time.

Google has been experimenting with neural networks, a kind of artificial brain - capable of teaching itself, independently from human programmers.

That raises a scary question...

Will the artificial intelligences that power our robots, one day decide.......to push back?