Slaughterbots

Slaughterbots is a six-minute science fiction short film that presents a dystopian vision of autonomous weapons systems. The film depicts a future in which small, AI-powered drones are weaponized and deployed against civilian targets, illustrating the potential dangers of fully autonomous lethal weapons without meaningful human control.

Produced by the Future of Life Institute and directed by Shelomi Sanders, the film was created to raise awareness about the risks of autonomous weapons development and to advocate for international regulation. It features a realistic, documentary-style presentation that makes the scenario feel plausible and urgent.

The film became influential in AI safety and policy circles, sparking discussions about the need for international treaties banning or restricting autonomous weapons. It has been widely shared among researchers, policymakers, and the general public as a tool for understanding the existential risks posed by uncontrolled autonomous weapons systems.