High-speed drone uses AI to navigate cluttered landscapes

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have built a drone that can easily navigate uncharted territory using artificial intelligence. It can zip through the air at speeds of over 44 miles per hour, using AI to plot a safe and efficient flight path through obstacles such as dense forests, urban landscapes and inside buildings. Researchers said the technology uses a pulsed laser sensor and could be crucial for disaster relief and rescue operations.

Class discussion: Could this advanced type of drone also be used as a military weapon or spying tool? What is driving the international race to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems? Is it for competing nations to gain economic or military advantages? Or, both? Would you trust AI to decide when and how to use lethal weapons? Why or why not? How have autonomous driving systems failed and resulted in crashes and traffic jams?