A GROUP of Eggar’s students took part in a fascinating debate at the Winchester Science Centre.

Focusing on whether robots could revolutionise the care system, the event was part of the British Science Association’s Future Debates programme, which looks at the implications of science in everyday lives, the local economy, and the country’s future.

Eggar’s student David Gee, on of the young year seven and year eight school visitors, asked a searching question of the invited speakers.

He said: “If robots are learning to have empathy and take on so much information but you say they can be switched off, what would happen if they by paradox learned to switch themselves back on?”

Dr Luke James, from IBM, responded by saying that he had always wanted to design a robot that could think, but they can’t. They can, however, read and digest massive amounts of information.

He said that IBM’s new Watson system is designed to read medical journals and newspapers and does read several thousand pages per hour. It can use the information to help doctors diagnose conditions.

But Dr James assured the group: “Humans would always be in control.”

The Eggar’s group was said to be “buzzing” afterward, having enjoyed engaging in such stimulating conversation.