Stephen Hawking On Robotic Apocalypse (Photo : REUTERS/MIKE HUTCHINGS)
Eminent British Professor Stephen Hawking has cautioned futurists of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and warned that computers had the potential to overtake human beings in the next 100 years.
The physicist who attended this year's Zeitgeist conference in London, confirmed to attendees the long held fears by many who have watched Hollywood blockbusters such as "I, Robot," "The Matrix" and more recently "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
The author of "A Brief History of Time" told the gathering that it would be through AI that computers would overtake the human race. He went on to say that when it does happen in the next 100 years, scientists would need to ensure that the goals of the machines aligned with those of the human race, accordingto Geek.
Prof. Hawking made similar comments last year during an interview with the BBC when he said that the trend to create digital help through robots could bring about the end of the human race. He told the publication that mankind was entering an uncertain age as technology becomes more intelligent and begins to think and adapt quickly to its environment.
During the interview, Prof. Hawking pointed out that scientists were less concerned with what more Artificial Intelligence could achieve, and the benefits it could bring about to the humankind.
Hawking acknowledged that successful AI would be a huge event in the history of humanity. However, he warned that it could be the last, unless scientists applied themselves to learn to avoid the risks that it poses.
He went onto to say that while the short term affects of AI were dependent on who controlled it, the long term impact to consider would be if AI can be controlled at all.
