Humans could one day become enslaved by the intelligent machines they create, a renowned MIT professor has warned. A number of prominent researchers expect AI to be able to outsmart humans at every conceivable task and job within decades. One expert believes people may not be able to keep up with these super intelligent robots, who could'break out and takeover' before destroying humanity. Shockingly, he also claims that some of his colleagues may welcome the extinction of the species by AI, viewing them as our natural descendants. Mankind could become enslaved by the intelligent machines they may soon create, a renowned MIT professor Max Tegmark (pictured) has warned.

Billionaire friends Elon Musk and Larry Page are reported to have a'funny' relationship. Musk apparently crashes at Page's house where they play video games together to pass they time. But the pair also argue about some major issues, including AI. A new book by renowned MIT professor Max Tegmark recounts a heated debate between the two tycoons at a glamorous party in Napa Valley. During the debate, Page accused Musk of being'speciesist' for his apparently outlandish claims that killer robots could wipe out humanity.

Artificial intelligence is driving a "technology renaissance" but its evolution could lead to doomsday scenarios seen in science fiction, according to one of the co-founders of Google. Sergey Brin, who is the president of Google's parent company Alphabet, laid out his concerns in the company's annual Founder's Letter, which serves to provide updates about the firm's recent progress and future plans. "The new spring in artificial intelligence is the most significant development in computing in my lifetime," Mr Brin said. "Every month, there are stunning new applications and transformative new techniques. "In this sense, we are truly in a technology renaissance, an exciting time where we can see applications across nearly every segment of modern society." Mr Brin referenced Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities in his letter, quoting the famous opening: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." The Russian-born billionaire related this to the paradoxical nature of AI, saying that the technology's potential for good is offset by the harm that its development could bring. "Such powerful tools also bring with them new questions and responsibilities.

You may not have noticed it, but over the past year Google has bought eight robotics companies. Its most recent acquisition is an outfit called Boston Dynamics, which makes the nearest thing to a mechanical mule that you are ever likely to see. It's called Big Dog and it walks, runs, climbs and carries heavy loads. It's the size of a large dog or small mule – about 3ft long, 2ft 6in tall, weighs 240lbs, has four legs that are articulated like an animal's, runs at 4mph, climbs slopes up to 35 degrees, walks across rubble, climbs muddy hiking trails, walks in snow and water, carries a 340lb load, can toss breeze blocks and can recover its balance when walking on ice after absorbing a hefty sideways kick. There, you will find not only a fascinating video of Big Dog in action, but also confirmation that its maker has a menagerie of mechanical beasts, some of them humanoid in form, others resembling predatory animals.

Alphabet CEO gives Google's chief a huge megaphone, as he lays the current and future vision of both companies. The Founders Letter is a powerful statement for Google. Start with the original "Don't be evil" mission of 2004, to last year's opus that formed Alphabet and marked a major restructuring of Google. Today, in a 2016 Founders' Letter, Alphabet CEO Larry Page hands the virtual pen to Google CEO Sundar Pichai for an update. "I wanted to give him most of the bully-pulpit here to reflect on Google's accomplishments and share his vision," Page writes, noting that we'll see him, Pichai and Sergey Brin share that space in the future.