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Future of warfare

Should there be a moratorium on killer robots? Why avatars could help to cure schizophrenic patients and why a British council would like fried food banned near school gates.

Experts have appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a moratorium on the development and use of new weapons known as lethal autonomous robots, or killer robots. The machines, which have not been used yet, are pre-programmed to kill people or destroy targets. A defender and an opponent discuss robot warfare.

A UK study suggests that the use of an avatar can help treat patients with schizophrenia who hear voices. The trial, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, focused on patients who had not responded to medication. Using customised computer software, the patients created avatars to match the voices they had been hearing. The man behind the trials explains how it works.

A British council suggests daytime sales of hot fried food could be banned near schools to fight obesity among children. What do chip shop owners think?

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55 minutes

Last on

Thu 30 May 2013 12:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Thu 30 May 2013 12:06GMT

Podcast