Researchers have warned it is already too late to stop killer robots - and say banning them would be little more than a temporary solution.

University at Buffalo researchers claim 'society is entering into a situation where systems like these have and will become possible.'

Elon Musk and Professor Stephen Hawking have both warned that artificial intelligence could develop a will of its own that is in conflict with that of humanity, and could herald dangers like powerful autonomous weapons.

Killer robots have a Pentagon budget line and a group of non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch, is already working collectively to stop their development, the team say.