Stephen Hawking Fires Dire Warning Shots on Artificial Intelligence

Professor Stephen Hawking thinks artificial intelligence could be the worst thing ever invented by humans.

Hawking, a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, spoke in Cambridge, England at a center whose mission is to root out and communicate the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

"The rise of powerful AI will be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity," Hawking said, reports The Telegraph.

"We do not know which."

Hawking said AI has many benefits, but it "will also bring dangers, like powerful autonomous weapons or new ways for the few to oppress the many.

"It will bring great disruption to our economy, and in the future, AI could develop a will of its own that is in conflict with ours."

Hawking has frequently warned about the dangers of AI in recent years. In January, he said technology has the potential to eventually spell the end of the human race.

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