Innovation: AI and the global software arms race

The destruction of mankind by swarms of intelligent robots is a film trope long held dear by Hollywood producers and directors. Whether it's the Terminator, or Ultron or the computer in WarGames, ever since the introduction of the first computer, we've been worrying about ways in which such technology could destroy us. Thankfully, visions of an invading army of kill-bot is well wide of the mark, at least within the bounds of foreseeable technology, but the fact is artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used for nefarious purposes, and the world's biggest nations are falling behind in their attempts to keep ahead of the threat. That is certainly the conclusion made by the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which reported recently to both the US Congress and President Joe Biden that: "America is not prepared to defend or compete in the AI era. This is the tough reality we must face. And it is this reality that demands comprehensive, whole-of-nation action."