"Killer robot" fears prompt AI experts to boycott South Korean university

More than 50 AI experts have boycotted a South Korean university, over fears that it could be looking to "accelerate the arms race" by building so-called "killer robots". The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) recently announced the launch of a "Research Center for the Convergence of National Defense and Artificial Intelligence", in partnership with arms company Hanwha Systems. The move suggested that KAIST, which came in 46th place in QS' 2018 rankings of the best universities in the world, was planning to help the arms firm build artificial intelligence-enhanced weapons that could be used by the military. Over 50 AI and robotics researchers have now signed an open letter, calling for the boycott of KAIST. "At a time when the United Nations is discussing how to contain the threat posed to international security by autonomous weapons, it is regrettable that a prestigious institution like KAIST looks to accelerate the arms race to develop such weapons," it reads.