Web

Self-aware AI on the battlefield: should we fear a Terminator scenario? (Podcast)

In this episode of the Brains Byte Back Podcast, we want to explore if “The Terminator” could ever become a reality, and what other forms of AI weapons and warfare we might see in the near future.

To do this we are joined by Marshall Barnes, an advanced concept science and technology R&D engineer who has been associated with advanced weapons concepts involving robotics and computerized weapons systems since 1982.

Barnes began his career working on ideas for antisubmarine warfare and was a recruitment target by the attorney of Arm-Tech, James Maxwell.

In 2008 he published a paper through Scientific Americans’ blog community on current and future weapons systems that was scrubbed off the Internet by DARPA because it revealed too much.

Listen to this podcast on SpotifyAnchorApple PodcastsPodcast AddictBreakerGoogle PodcastsStitcherOvercastListen NotesPodBean, and Radio Public.

Picture referenced by Barnes in the podcast

Barnes kicks off the episode by explaining how he first got started in the technological weapons space, and how a love for sci-fi inspired him to design futuristic weapons.

He also breaks down how he would revise classic Star Wars weapons and vehicles to make them more effective, and how his career was launched by a desire to create his own sci-fi movie.

We also discuss a recent BBC article titled “Biden urged to back AI weapons to counter China and Russia threats, and Barnes shares his thoughts on why he is not afraid of AI becoming self-aware. 

He also discusses China’s super-soldier program, and how he likes to contemplate countermeasures against new technological weapons from foreign threats as a hobby in his free time.

Additionally, Barnes explains what “Digital Centrism” is and why it holds back many in the tech community.

Sam Brake Guia

Sam is an energetic and passionate writer/presenter, always looking for the next adventure. In August 2016 he donated all of his possessions to charity, quit his job, and left the UK. Since then he has been on the road travelling through North, Central and South America searching for new adventures and amazing stories.

View Comments

  • Robotics and AI could take on a central, and very important, role in warfare by 2040—even without anything resembling a terminator or a large killer robot.

Recent Posts

Meet agentic AI: Your AI agent just leveled up to teammate (Brains Byte Back Podcast)

You’ve probably been coming across the term “agentic AI” a lot more recently, and in…

9 hours ago

True robot intelligence requires a digital twin of the entire world: WEF ‘Summer Davos’ in China

In order to achieve true robot intelligence, a digital twin of the entire world would…

19 hours ago

Sensors to surveil people & cities among WEF top 10 emerging technologies at ‘Summer Davos’

Autonomous Biochemical Sensing can turn human bodies into surveillance tools for monitoring and control, Collaborative…

1 day ago

AI and the Dopamine Trap: How Algorithms Are Rewiring Our Social Cravings

New research shows AI companions can lift mood and teach social skills, but only when…

5 days ago

Hate speech, deepfakes & false info undermine UN work: comms chief

Hate speech is a launching point for crackdowns on narratives that impede UN agendas: perspective…

5 days ago

Making Sense brings strategic insight to the SIM Hartford Chapter

On June 4, technology executives gathered at the SIM Hartford chapter presided over by Fariba…

7 days ago