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Astronomer Royal Martin Rees: How soon will robots take over the world?
Society is more interconnected than ever, and consequently more vulnerable. We depend on elaborate networks: electric-power grids, just-in-time delivery, satnav, globally dispersed manufacturing, and so forth. Can we be sure that these networks are resilient enough to rule out catastrophic disruptions cascading through the system – real-world analogues of the 2008 financial crash? London would be instantly paralysed without electricity. Supermarket shelves would soon be bare if supply chains were disrupted. Air travel can spread a pandemic worldwide in days, causing havoc in the megacities of the developing world. And social media can amplify panic and rumour, literally at the speed of light.
The worry isn’t just accidental breakdowns. Malicious events can have catastrophic consequences. Cyber-sabotage efforts, such as “Stuxnet”, and frequent hacking of financial institutions have highlighted these concerns. Small groups – and even individuals – are more empowered than ever before …. http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Source: http://luismmx.blogspot.com/2015/05/astronomer-royal-martin-rees-how-soon.html
