content: There was a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that explored this idea. It starred Will Wheaton, I think. The nanobots eventually gained sentience and were sent on their merry way with a small ship. Similarly, this happened in an episode of Justice League. The nanobots were eventually defeated with the laser on board the Justice League Satellite. The Justice League didn't tell any nations about their weapon, and as a result the US DoD freaked out.