Stephen Hawking Believes AI Can Outperform Humans
Speaking at the Web Summit technology conference, Physicist Stephen Hawking expressed his qualms out about the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI).
At the conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, the high-profile physicist said that with the continued development of artificially intelligent machines, computers might eventually be able to emulate human intelligence and even surpass it.
"Success in creating effective AI, could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization. Or the worst," said Hawking.
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Although he highlighted its potential to undo damage made to the natural world or its capacity to eliminate poverty and disease, he also detailed its conceivable threats, which could lead to the worst possible reality for human civilization.
He continued, " It brings dangers, like powerful autonomous weapons, or new ways for the few to oppress the many. It could bring great disruption to our economy."
Hawking believes that such threats can be avoided if AI creators employ the best practices and management.
Despite its terrors, the physicist says he is optimistic that AI can be used for the good of society. As long as developers keep its dangers in mind, they can all utilize the best practices and management to prepare for such consequences.
Hawking is the latest to speak out about the dangers of AI. He is now part of an elite pool of voices in science and technology who are pushing for more legislative work concerning the development AI and robotics.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, once said that AI weapons could start a third World War.
Musk along with more than 100 AI specialists from 26 different countries sent an open letter to the UN officials who were considering the addition of robotic weaponry to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. In the letter, they detailed the dangers of having artificially intelligent armaments.
