The use of robots in warfare, although traditionally a topic for science fiction, is being researched as a possible future means of fighting wars. Already several military robots have been developed by various armies.

Humans started creating robots since ancient times in Ancient and Ptolemaic Egypt, however, the first military robot was used in World War II.

Recent remarkable advances in artificial intelligence have accelerated the hopes that robots can play a major role in future warfare. What if autonomous weapon systems replace both soldiers and generals?

Using robots in warfare has numerous advantages since autonomous and remote-controlled weapons don’t require long periods of training like human military personnel. Robots are capable of performing tasks and maneuvers which are impossible for human beings.

Using robots will also decrease costs of war since they don’t need additional life support systems, and will more importantly decrease human casualty. A loss of a robotic armored vehicle, plane or submarine won’t mean a loss of a human soldier.

Perhaps heavy implementation of robots in warfare can increase clashes between human societies around the world.

We present this in-depth video discussion from Davos World Economic Forum -in partnership with TIME-. It explores the possible, plausible and probable impacts of artificial intelligence on defence systems. Participants in this discussion are:

· Sir Roger Carr, Chairman, BAE Systems, UK.
· Angela Kane, Senior Fellow, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation, Austria.
· Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science, University of California,
Berkeley, USA.
· Alan Winfield, Hewlett-Packard Professor of Electronic Engineering,
University of the West of England, UK.