Russian robots will poison dissidents in 'untraceable' AI assassinations by hacking into food ordering systems as part of a terrifying future Cold War, predicts computer expert

  • Intelligent machines could be programmed to hack into food ordering systems
  • They could be instructed to serve food containing allergen lethal to the target
  • This would have the benefit of appearing as an accident to the outside world
  • Claims come in the wake of the attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal

Russia may soon use robots to carry out AI-powered assassinations as part of a new cold war, a computer expert has claimed.

Future attacks on exiles and dissidents could be untraceable thanks to the use of automatons, warns Dr Jeremy Straub at Dakota State University.

Intelligent machines could be programmed to hack into food ordering systems, like those used at fast food restaurants, to poison their victims.

This would have the benefit of killing a target, while appearing to the outside world to be an accidental allergic reaction.

The claims come in the wake of the high profile attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, which involved the use of a deadly nerve agent.

Prime Minister Theresa May has laid the blame at Moscow's door, expelling a number of prominent diplomats from Britain in the process.

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Intelligent machines could be programmed to hack into food ordering systems, like those used at fast food restaurants, to poison their victims.

Intelligent machines could be programmed to hack into food ordering systems, like those used at fast food restaurants, to poison their victims.

Dr Straub believes the West and Russia are on course for a new Cold War, led by the use of AI.

Speaking to the Daily Star Online, he said: 'Certainly when you think about a robot, that (assassinating a target) would be something that a robot certainly could do.

'But I think you'd see something far more subtle to the kind of approach that a human might use, where an AI might order something with an incorrect component.

'For example, if it knew somebody had an allergy, perhaps it would get them some food with an allergy where it appears to be a kind of benign mistake, where in actuality it might be intentional.

'That would be my guess as to the tactic taking place. In the US when you go into McDonald's there are these kiosks, where you can order food.' 

Dr Straub believes it is a matter of time before Russia develops AI technology sufficiently advanced to make it a threat.  

The claims come in the wake of the high profile attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia (pictured together), which involved the use of a deadly nerve agent. The pair are still fighting for their lives

The claims come in the wake of the high profile attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia (pictured together), which involved the use of a deadly nerve agent. The pair are still fighting for their lives

He added: 'Based upon what Putin has said it seems like that would be a strategy that Russia would use to the extent that they have the technology available.

'Really the question there is what technologies does Russia have, ready at that time?

'They are talking about developing it, but it's unclear if they have that stuff on the shelf.

'I think certainly if they were to enter a Cold War, and fighting, they would use the technologies at their disposal and AI would certainly be a very strong technology for them to use.

WHAT HAPPENED TO FORMER SPY SERGEI SKRIPAL AND HIS DAUGHTER?

A former Russian spy and his daughter found slumped on a bench in Wiltshire on March 4 were poisoned by a nerve agent, according to Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley.

Sergei, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, remained in a critical condition for weeks after they were targeted with a nerve agent in the middle of Salisbury town centre.

Nerve agents are a group of human-made substances that target part of the body's nervous system to shut down its organs and overload the brain.

Death is certain in as little as 10 minutes unless an antidote is taken almost immediately after being exposed.  

The minutes before death are torturous. The grisly effects include excruciating pain all over, paralysis, foaming at the mouth and nose, uncontrollable seizures and diarrhoea. 

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'Russians have talked a lot about using AI and one quote, Putin said he saw AI as an equaliser between the US and Russia.

'How he was basically going to overcome the US's order of magnitude of more defence spending using AI.

'I think he certainly is looking for ways to use the technology now, whether any particular attack type would be employed is an open question.' 

Russia has been the target of international condemnation since the attack on Mr Skripal earlier this month.

Blame for the poisoning, which involved the nerve agent Novichok, has been laid squarely at President Putin's door, with Prime Minister Theresa May expelling a number of prominent Russian diplomats from Britain in the process

Blame for the poisoning, which involved the nerve agent Novichok, has been laid squarely at President Putin's door, with Prime Minister Theresa May expelling a number of prominent Russian diplomats from Britain in the process

Today it was announced that ten EU nations are preparing to expel Russian spies in solidarity with Britain over the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. 

The countries thought likely to expel diplomats today include Germany, France, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Russia is likely to respond in kind and kick out personnel from each of the countries who act in support of Britain. 

President Donald trump has also ordered60 Russian diplomats that his administration says are spies out of the United States.

The officials acting on behalf of Moscow have been given seven days to leave the country, officials said. A consulate in Seattle, Washington, will also be shuttered.

WHAT IS THE NOVICHOK NERVE AGENT USED AGAINST FORMER SPY SERGEI SKRIPAL?

The Novichok nerve agent used against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia is among the most deadly poisons ever created.

It was developed secretly by the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold war in the 1970s and 1980s.

Communist scientists developed the poison to be undetectable by Nato's chemical detection equipment.

Novichok, which is up to eight times more potent than deadly VX gas, comes in the form of an ultra-fine powder.

Victims who are poisoned by the powder suffer muscle spasms, breathing problems and then cardiac arrest.

There is a known antidote to the nerve agent,  atropine, which can block the poison.

But doctors find it very tricky to administer the antidote because the dose has to be so high it may prove fatal to the patient.

Novichok poisons are highly dangerous to handle, requiring the expertise of skilled scientists in a sophisticated lab.

Dr Vil Mirzayanov, former Chief of the Foreign Technical Counterintelligence Department at Russia's premiere, was among the team of scientists who helped develop the agent.

In an article about the lethal weapon, he wrote: 'They are extremely dangerous – most likely lethal – for people who would try to synthesise or manipulate them without the help of highly experienced scientists and engineers in special laboratory installations observing extreme safety measures.

'Without exception, Novichok weapons cannot be used for any reason without specially trained military personnel under medical supervision.'

 

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