Robots could be freed from their human masters and handed the power to own possessions under radical new EU plans.

Officials want to have machines declared as "electronic persons" amid fears they could challenge humanity for control of the Earth.

The plans would mean the robots could claim copyright on their work and trade money – effectively allowing them to form functional societies.

Their owners could be liable to pay social security for the machines to cover any damage caused.

The growing intelligence of robots could require rethinking of everything from taxation to legal liability, the draft motion suggests.

READ MORE: Robot which can choose to harm humans sparks artificial intelligence debate

REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Politicians are concerned that human jobs could be taken by machines

MEPs are so concerned that robots could take jobs that member states are being urged to give all citizens a universal basic income in case they are put out of work by their computerised counterparts, The Times reports.

The draft motion called on the European Commission to consider "that at least the most sophisticated autonomous robots could be established as having the status of electronic persons with specific rights and obligations".

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It also suggested the creation of a register for smart autonomous robots, which would link each one to funds established to cover its legal liabilities.