In advance of next week's U.N. meeting to discuss "killer robots," over 50 experts in artificial intelligence (AI) from 30 different countries are boycotting a South Korean university for its relationship with weapons manufacturer Hanwha Systems.

The AI experts voiced their concerns in a letter detailing fears that the collaboration between Hanwha Systems and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist) would result in plans to design AI for weapons.

"At a time when the United Nations is discussing how to contain the threat posed to international security by autonomous weapons, it is regrettable that a prestigious institution like Kaist looks to accelerate the arms race to develop such weapons," read the letter sent to Kaist, announcing the boycott.

"If developed, autonomous weapons will be the third revolution in warfare," it continued. "They will permit war to be fought faster and at a scale greater than ever before. They have the potential to be weapons of terror."

"Despots and terrorists could use them against innocent populations, removing any ethical restraints. This Pandora's box will be hard to close if it is opened."

However, the university has issued a denial stating that it has no plans to develop "autonomous lethal weapons."

Shin Sung-chul, president of Kaist, said: "I reaffirm once again that Kaist will not conduct any research activities counter to human dignity including autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control. Kaist is significantly aware of ethical concerns in the application of all technologies including artificial intelligence."

Instead, Sung-chul insists that the collaboration with Hanwha Systems is only focused on developing algorithms for "efficient logistical systems, unmanned navigation and aviation training systems."

In response to the denial, Professor Noel Sharkey, head of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, said:

"We received a letter from the president of Kaist making it clear that they would not help in the development of autonomous weapons systems. The signatories of the letter will need a little time to discuss the relationship between Kaist and Hanwha before lifting the boycott."

For now, academics will refuse to work with any part of Kaist until the ban is lifted.

Planning to discuss the topic of lethal autonomous weapons, 123 member nations of the UN will meet next week in Geneva — with 22 of those member nations demanding a ban on such weapons.