Artificial Intelligence - machines that work like the human brain - computers that can think. It's the stuff of science fiction, but it's also very real and developing faster than you may realize. Just this week, tech giant Google announced the purchase of an artificial intelligence firm - the company's ninth robotics oriented purchase in a little over a year. From asking your smart phone for directions to self-driving cars to robots programmed to act like humans, AI is everywhere and it's certainly uncharted territory. What does it mean when we create computers that are potentially smarter than people? Our guest today warns, if we don't tread lightly, it could mean the end of the human era. A panel of experts joins us to explain how artificial intelligence works and discuss the practical applications and ethical considerations of this controversial technology.

Guests

James Barrat - Documentary Filmmaker and Author of Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era.

Dr. Raghuram Ramanjuan - Assistant Professor, Math and Computer Science Dept. at Davidson College

Dr. Mary Lou Maher - Professor and Chair, Dept. of Software Information Systems and Director, Center for Education Innovation at UNC Charlotte