Tiny robots with a mind of their own: Nanobots are learning to self assemble and share a common goal

European Union research funding is raising hopes that nanobots will be able to self assemble and share a common goal or "mind" by 2025. Scientists reassure us that any fears of losing control of this technology is unfounded, however futurist Jason Gaverick Matheny, research associate with the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, where his work focuses on technology forecasting and risk assessment - particularly of global catastrophic risks and existential risks lists nanobots and developing viral weapons as two of the potential causes of mankind's possible annihilation.

Current thinking of one of the uses uses for this technology in the future are for rescue and first aid in disasters such as collapsed buildings, where larger robots or people would be unable to gain access. The nanobots could theoretically enter individually through small cracks, then assemble into a larger form in order to aid victims.