During a major military exercise with Cambodian troops, the Chinese military showcased robot dogs equipped with machine guns, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

The 15-day drill, named “Golden Dragon,” took place in central Cambodia and off its coast, where journalists observed the robodogs being walked but not firing their weapons.

This display highlights the potential future of warfare involving armed autonomous machines, a development experts warn poses significant ethical issues and should be banned internationally.

Despite these concerns, military and law enforcement agencies in various countries, including the US, continue to explore such technology, citing potential lifesaving benefits.

For instance, US military contractor Ghost Robotics has developed a robot dog with a long-distance rifle, Futurism reported.

However, Boston Dynamics has publicly committed to not weaponizing its robots or supporting such use by others.

Written by B.C. Begley