大象传媒

MPs have decided overwhelmingly to renew the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system.聽 It seems reasonable to assume that not one of the 472 who voted in favour hopes to see them used.

Meanwhile, with much less public debate, another weapon is being deployed increasingly around the world.聽 Remotely operated unmanned aircraft - drones - are now available in many countries, and the UK is one of a small number which has been using them in combat.

Drones have now killed thousands identified as opposition forces, and not a few civilians as well.聽 Dallas earlier this month saw the first use of a police robot to kill a suspect.聽 As automation of weapons systems grows, human involvement becomes more remote.

With the television show Robot Wars returning to 大象传媒2 after a gap of a decade this weekend, All Things Considered this week examines the expanding role of the robot on the real battlefield - and in many other areas of life.聽 Should we be worried, or relieved? 聽Can a robot be trusted?聽 And does more technology leave human beings with any less responsibility?