Artificial intelligence could end humanity, warns Stephen Hawking

London, Dec 3: One of the most brilliant scientists alive, British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, has warned the humanity that the development of artificial intelligence could even lead to the end of life !

A BBC report says that the scientist said such technology could rapidly evolve and overtake mankind. As example, he cited the "Terminator" movies. [In Pics: 10 extraordinary personalities with disabilities]

"The primitive forms of artificial intelligence we already have, have proved very useful. But I think the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race," the professor said in an interview aired on BBC on Tuesday.

"Once humans develop artificial intelligence it would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate.

The scientist explains it as this: Humans are limited by slow biological evolution. This would stop them from competing with the artificial intelligence and hence, will be superseded.

The wheelchair-bound scientist speaks with the help of a voice synthesiser. Hawkings said that the Internet had brought dangers as well as benefits. Recently, the new chief of Britain's electronic spying agency GCHQ had warned that it had become a command centre for criminals and terrorists.

The 72-year-old Hawking said that it is difficult to counter these threats without sacrificing freedom and privacy.

The scientist, on Tuesday, also demonstrated a new software developed by Intel, which incorporates predictive text to allow people like him with motor neurone disease to write faster.

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