What if a computer and video camera could warn troops of an insurgent attack in Iraq or Afghanistan? Though even soldiers can have trouble distinguishing militants and civilians, DARPA has a possible solution: using cameras, software and algorithms to automatically detect threats to American troops.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the military's R&D agency (it developed the predecessor to the Internet way back when) and its new program, called "PerSEAS" (Persistent Stare Exploitation and Analysis System), aims to build on the network of military surveillance cameras and spy planes already in use. Having cameras everywhere is great, but it is impossible for humans to track them all in real-time. And surveillance cameras are generally used to track down criminals after a crime, not catch them in the act.

PerSEAS, on the other hand, may be able to observe patterns and warn commanders of impending attacks, even with only "weak evidence." Real humans would still make all the battle decisions, at least for now.