That is the ominous warning from Luca De Ambroggi, the research and analysis lead for AI solutions within the Transformative Technology team at London-based global information provider IHS Markit:

"In 50 years, it is reasonable to think that robots will be able to 'support' and replace human being in several activities. Already electro-mechanical devices outperform humans in sensitiveness and reaction time."

He said: "Artificial Intelligence is here, and it's here for the long haul."

"We are into the so called Narrow or Weak era of AI. It is 'weaker' than human or is equal or superior just on few limited tasks and senses.

"If we fast forward 50 years, science fiction might come easily back in our mind. The difference is that by then we might not consider it anymore 'fiction'. "

"This era is Generic – Multi Modal AI. It is comparable to human intelligence applied in all senses, working powerfully in parallel."

"However it is disrupting society and as it evolves, it will have major impacts on data security, labour and ethics.