(TNS)-- Elon Musk urges a ban on AI in weapons

Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk has joined dozens of CEOs of artificial intelligence companies in signing an open letter urging the United Nations to ban the use of AI in weapons before the technology gets out of hand.

The U.N.’s Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems is due to meet in November to discuss ways to protect civilians from the misuse of automated weapons.

“Lethal autonomous weapons threaten to become the third revolution in warfare,” read the letter, which was also signed by the chief executives of Cafe X Technologies and Plus- One Robotics. “Once this Pandora’s box is opened, it will be hard to close. Therefore we implore the High Contracting Parties to find a way to protect us all from these dangers.”

J&J hit with $417M verdict

Johnson & Johnson was hit with a $417 million verdict yesterday, finding the company liable for failing to warn a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer about the risks of using its talcum products.

It’s the largest award among suits targeting the company’s talc powder. Nearly 5,000 lawsuits are pending in the U.S., alleging the health care giant ignored studies linking its Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products to cancer.

Plaintiff Eva Echeverria was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. A surgeon removed a softball-sized tumor, but Echeverria is now near death. She testified by video she had used Johnson’s Baby Powder since she was 11.

Johnson & Johnson said it will seek to overturn the verdict.

©2017 the Boston Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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