Subscribe now

Reports of an AI drone that 'killed' its operator are pure fiction

2 June 2023

It has been widely reported that a US Air Force drone went rogue and "killed" its operator in a simulation, sparking fears of an AI revolution - but this simulation never took place. Why are we so quick to believe AI horror stories?


The Chinese balloon, spotted above Charlotte, North Carolina on 4 February 2023

Unidentified objects: What's behind the rise in aerial shootdowns?

13 February 2023

A spate of shootdowns involving balloons and other flying objects over North America comes as the US military is becoming more sensitive to unidentified aerial phenomena


The Zephyr solar plane made by Airbus

Why the US military could replace spy satellites with solar planes

3 November 2022

The US military has spent billions of dollars on spy satellites and supersonic surveillance aircraft, but now it seems to be focusing on slow, lightweight solar-powered planes to do the same job


Volodymyr Zelenskyy and drone

Will Ukraine deploy lethal autonomous drones against Russia?

1 November 2022

Ukraine has used drones in innovative ways throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, and may now be preparing to deploy machines capable of finding and attacking targets without direct human control


A yellow robot dog

Boston Dynamics leads call to stop arming robots – will anyone listen?

11 October 2022

A group of robot-makers led by Boston Dynamics has pledged to push back on any attempts to add weapons to their creations, but other companies will continue to arm their robots and market them to police and military buyers


A missile blasts off again the background of green hills

North Korean missiles could soon reach the US. Can we stop them?

5 July 2017

Kim Jong-un’s regime has tested a missile that could eventually hit the continental US with Hiroshima-sized nuclear weapons. Talks, war or sanctions are the only ways forward


Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop