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Artificial intelligence software attempting to unpick mysterious taunting codes left by the infamous Zodiac killer has started doing something quite disturbing.

The robot, known as CARMEL, is trying to crack one of the most unbreakable ciphers in history.

But what it's started doing is frankly scary - it has started penning weird, dark poetry.

Using abstract symbols, code and ciphers sent by the brutal serial killer to taunt local media and police, the software is now creating complex verse.

One of those reads: "Surrounded by the troubled, by the thieving, Confused and bruised and poisoned by the master, Confused and blinded by the helpless scheming, Confused and blinded by the dreadful slander..."

(Image: Bettmann) (Image: Bettmann)

(Image: San Francisco Police Dept)

The Zodiac killer was active during the 1960s in North California and claimed to be responsible for the murders of up to 37 people.

He wrote to newspapers and mocked local police - who have investigated more than 2,500 suspects and to this day are stumped.

Despite the best efforts of technology whizzes, no-one has managed to crack the codes.

It is one of the greatest unsolved serial killing sprees of all time.

(Image: Bettmann) (Image: iStockphoto)

Forensic technology at the time wasn't advanced enough to track the warped murderer down - but now there are high hopes the artificial intelligence could blow the five-decade-old case wide open.

One cipher in particular, known as the Z340, has baffled the greatest minds in cryptology for nearly 50 years - and it continues to draw scrutiny because the Zodiac killer claimed this code contained his real name.

The robot now attempting to unravel the mystery has been created by AI and linguistics expert Keven Knight, reports the Indy 100.

(Image: iStockphoto)

He fed CARMEL all the information currently available about the killer, including details of the alleged murders.

Part of its programming allows it to create verse.

Another reads: "Through the taxi and prison break, Alone and angry at a brutal murder, Surrounded by an artificial lake, Never a convicted murderer."

Again, super creepy!

While officially connected to five murders and two attempted murders, the Zodiac hinted he had killed at least 37 victims.

After taunting the police and the public with nearly two dozen letters, Zodiac seemed to vanish in the late 1970s.

His twisted legacy inspired three real-life copycat killers and dozens of books, TV shows and movies—including, most famously, Clint Eastwood’s nemesis in the 1971 film “Dirty Harry.”