Every step forward in artificial intelligence (AI) challenges assumptions about what machines can do. Myriad opportunities for economic benefit have created a stable flow of investment into AI research and development, but with the opportunities come risks to decision-making, security and governance. Increasingly intelligent systems supplanting both blue- and white-collar employees are exposing the fault lines in our economic and social systems and requiring policy-makers to look for measures that will build resilience to the impact of automation. Leading entrepreneurs and scientists are also concerned about how to engineer intelligent systems as these systems begin implicitly taking on social obligations and responsibilities, and several of them penned an Open Letter on Research Priorities for Robust and Beneficial Artificial Intelligence in late 2015.1 Whether or not we are comfortable with AI may already be moot: more pertinent questions might be whether we can and ought to build trust in systems that can make decisions beyond human oversight that may have irreversible consequences. By providing new information and improving decision-making through data-driven strategies, AI could potentially help to solve some of the complex global challenges of the 21st century, from climate change and resource utilization to the impact of population growth and healthcare issues.

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. Attendees view vehicles manufactured by 3D printing at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg Much of the focus in the technology world currently is on artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data – and how they will affect the way we use products and how machines operate. But developing just as quickly, although with slightly less hype, is 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM), which is going to have at least as big an impact on how we make things as AI et al.

But those who do are likely to be more intelligent, according to a new study. Researchers found people who prefer dark humour tend to score highly on test of intelligence and emotional stability. People who prefer dark humour tend to score highly on test of intelligence and emotional stability. Researchers found people who prefer dark humour tend to score highly on test of intelligence and emotional stability. The researchers say it may be because it takes both cognitive and emotional skills to understand jokes and get their humour.

A semi-autonomous drone modified with an umbrella canopy promises to shield users from the rain by automatically tracking their movements, but it's a hell of a lot pricier than a regular brolly. Drone retailer DronesDirect lists the creatively named Umbrella Drone, a specially adapted DJI Phantom 4 quadcopter, at a staggering £1,299, down from £1,499. The retailer, meanwhile, is selling the standard Phantom 4 for £997. However, a call to DronesDirect established that the Umbrella Drone is currently still in testing, and isn't available to buy just yet. The designers say the light-hearted creation came about because of the UK's notoriously unpredictable weather, and will be able to cope with even "the most adverse" conditions.

A fleet of autonomous trucks is joining all the self-driving taxis and buses Singapore is testing on its streets. Toyota and Volkswagen subsidiary Scania will begin the first full-scale autonomous truck platooning trial in the country this month. For the next three years, the two companies will operate a fleet of trucks composed of three autonomous vehicles following a manned one to transport cargo between ports. Singapore's authorities organized the project, because aside from its desire to become the world's first smart city, it's also seeking to optimize road capacity. It's a relatively tiny city-state, after all, and the number of vehicles on its roads keep on growing along with its population.

On display at a technology exposition just outside the gates of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos was an alarmingly lifelike robot. Nicknamed "Sophia" by its creator David Hanson of Hanson Robotics, the robot was so realistic that it generated various visceral reactions from passersby ranging from awestruck to a little somewhat freaked out. We talked to Hanson about his creation, and asked about his purpose in designing lifelike robots that could soon be a part of our daily lives.

Banks are already experimenting with robotic process automation in areas like their compliance functions. But robotics technology may soon find its way to nearly all aspects of running the bank. As banks become more comfortable with the relying on software robots to replicate the actions of a human interacting with machines to handle rote tasks, experts say they will be quick to deploy the technology companywide as a way to trim expenses and redirect employees to more crucial tasks. "I think we're going to see it move from a few narrow functions to across the enterprise," said Alan McIntyre, the industry managing director for banking at Accenture. "It's going to become an indispensable technology for banks, rather than an interesting experiment."

Mark Carney, the Bank of England Governor's, recent "Robots to steal 15 million jobs" warning is closely followed by a Japanese life insurer announcing that they are replacing 34 staff with robots to improve productivity by 30% and save just under £1m a year in salaries. In this instance the robots are an artificial intelligence (AI) system described as'cognitive technology that can think like a human'. It is capable of reading medical certificates and gathering data to calculate claim payments and when you also hear that an American insurer is already using AI and boasting of paying a claim for a stolen mobile phone in 3 seconds using their system known as'AI Jim', the attraction to insurers is obvious. To some, a'robot revolution' will just be another technological advancement, albeit one of significance to compare with the industrial revolution or the internet. To others it may be a very worrying radical change with the potential for global transformation, both socially and economically.

In a year of uncertainty and unpredictability, change strangely remained our only constant in 2016. Against a backdrop of unexpected political events – the outcome of the Brexit referendum, the election of Donald Trump and the Italy constitutional reform vote, for example – and an unsettled global economy, technological innovation has been developing at a dizzying pace. Nowhere has this been more notable than in the retail sector. Customer demand for convenience is driving change. Our Unfaithful Consumer research found that 55 percent of consumers see it as the most important factor when it comes to deciding where, and how, to shop. With the help of truly disruptive new technology, the focus in 2016 was on making the entire shopping experience more convenient for the consumer.

Billionaires in the world's tech capital Silicon Valley are reportedly preparing for the apocalypse by buying underground bunkers, guns, ammo and motorcycles. Fearful that artificial intelligence will displace so many jobs that there will be a revolt against those responsible for the technology, the are entrepreneurs readying themselves for doomsday like scenarios. Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of the professional social network, LinkedIn, told The New Yorker that he believes more than 50 per cent of billionaires in the Californian tech hub are preparing for the worst. "I own a couple of motorcycles. I have a bunch of guns and ammo. I figure that, with that, I can hole up in my house for some amount of time," he said.