Dotcom millionaire Ben Way launched Weapons Against Robots (WAR) Defence to combat the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence through the creation of anti-robot weaponry, detection and monitoring of robots, and use of anti-robot viruses. Way believes that, as AI is increasingly used in warfare and defense, it is prudent to ready countermeasures in the event, not only of an enemy's use of robotics, but that an intelligence's programming goes awry:

"The use of robotics in the military is on the up and, although the decision to take human life is currently still taken by another human, before long such decisions will be made up complex mathematical and logical rules programmed within a robot."

"Potentially the consequences of a computer crashing could be devastating. Hence, robotic defence is not just necessary for tackling combatants, but potentially for making sure we have control over our own weaponry."

But are such measures really necessary? Computer scientist Noel Sharkey, who has, in the past, written about the dangers of deploying autonomous combat robots, believes that Way's efforts are a much-needed safeguard against the destruction of human life by artificial intelligence:

"This is the first real response that I have seen to the predicted rise in the use of autonomous military robots and it testifies to the dangerous slippery slope that we seem to be inevitably sliding down."

"Ben Way has certainly picked up on the magnitude of the impending threat or autonomous robot weapons to humanitarian war but it seems even more worrying that such steps are having to be taken.

Way made his fortune as a teenager developing search technology. More recently, he started corporate venture company Rainmakers, mentoring network Horsesmouth, and print over Internet protocol service ViaPost.

War Against Robots: the new entrepreneurial frontier [Telegraph]
Weapons Against Robots Defence Company

Here's a closeup shot of combat between a spinner and a wedge-style robot. Looks like the spinner might be about to flip that wedge right over. Robogames are perfectly safe, and fun for the whole family. Really! I had a 200-pounder on fire smash right next to my head against the thick, plastic barrier and it was scary but totally non-dangerous. There are also artbots and other kinds of robot projects on display at Robogames. Here's Zou Renti last year with his android clone. The photographer titled this picture, "You're creeping me out, dude." Seriously. Image of firey fight up top by Sam Coniglio, via Robogames. Close combat image by Scott Beale, via Robogames. Image of android by Brunkfordbraun.

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