PressTV... The eminent British physicist Professor Stephen Hawking has said that attempts to create machines capable of thought could lead to the end of the human race. "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race," Hawking told the state-run BBC.
The physicist, who has the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), made the remarks in response to a question about upgrading the communication technology he uses to speak with a basic form of artificial intelligence (AI) designed by Intel.
Hawking says the simple forms of AI, which have developed so far, have proven to very useful, but he is scared of the consequences of creating machines that equal or surpass humans.
"It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate," he said. "Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete, and would be superseded."
One of the aspects of the technology he uses to speak which has not been altered in its revamping is his computer generated voice. Hawking accepts that it sounds slightly robotic but says he insisted on keeping it.
"It has become my trademark, and I wouldn't change it for a more natural voice with a British accent," he said."I'm told that children who need a computer voice, want one like mine."
SRK/MHB/AS