Professor Stephen Hawking
has issued a chilling warning about the imminent rise of artificial
intelligence. During a new interview, Professor Hawking warned that AI will
soon reach a level where it will be a 'new form of life that will outperform
humans.' Professor Hawking even went so far as to say that AI may replace humans
altogether, although he didn't specify a timeline for his predictions.
Professor Hawking made the
chilling comments during a recent interview with Wired.
He said: 'I fear that AI may
replace humans altogether. If people design computer viruses, someone will
design AI that improves and replicates itself. This will be a new form of life
that outperforms humans.'
During this recent
interview, Professor Hawking also urged more people to take an interest in
science, claiming that there would be 'serious consequences' if this didn't
happen. He added that a new space programme should be developed, 'with a view
to eventually colonising suitable planets for human habitation.'
He said: 'I
believe we have reached the point of no return. Our Earth is becoming too
small for us, global population is increasing at an alarming rate and we are in
danger of self-destructing.'
This isn't the first time
that Professor Hawking has expressed fears about the rise of AI. In October
last year, Professor Hawking warned that artificial intelligence could develop
a will of its own that is in conflict with that of humanity. It could herald
dangers like powerful autonomous weapons and ways for the few to oppress the
many, he said, as he called for more research in the area.
He was speaking in Cambridge
at the launch of The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, which
will explore the implications of the rapid development of artificial
intelligence.
He said: 'I believe there is
no deep difference between what can be achieved by a biological brain and what can
be achieved by a computer. It therefore
follows that computers can, in theory, emulate human intelligence - and exceed
it.'
Artificial intelligence is
progressing rapidly and there are 'enormous' levels of investment, Professor
Hawking said. He said the potential benefits were great and the technological
revolution could help undo some of the damage done to the natural world by
industrialisation.
'In short, success in
creating AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilisation,'
said Professor Hawking. But it could also be the last unless we learn how to
avoid the risks.'
Via Dailymail