Philosophers key as artificial intelligence and biotech advance

Studying philosophy may be about to pay off. Unlike the more utilitarian subjects like law or engineering, the conceptual world of Kant, Mills or even Nietzsche hasn't provided a route to riches for many to date. That may be about to change in the converging world of artificial intelligence, big data and biotech. For decades philosophy students have grappled with theories like the trolley problem – where a runaway trolley car may hit and kill two children or, with intervention from the person on board, its occupant. The advent of autonomous vehicles means this philosophical dilemma is front and centre for programmers.