China recruits "patriotic" children to develop its AI weapons

China believes the children are the future -- of its autonomous weapons program. According to a story published Thursday in the South China Morning Post, the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), which operates under the supervision of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, just selected 31 students under the age of 18 for a special four-year program. Its goal: to develop intelligent weapons systems -- weapons that can decide for themselves when to take a human life. More than 5,000 students reportedly applied to take part in the program, and one BIT professor involved in the screening process explained to the SCMP exactly what the school saw in the 31 students -- 27 boys and four girls -- who made the final cut. "These kids are all exceptionally bright, but being bright is not enough," said the man, who asked to remain anonymous.