Stephen Hawking has been known for his great share about the studies of cosmology and physics, and his predictions about artificial intelligence (AI) and aliens, and now in a recent interview, the British theoretical physicist talked about the dangers that AI could bring, as well as the risk of communicating with aliens.
"The genie is out of the bottle," the director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology told Wired. Although he admitted that people should have advance knowledge in developing AI, they should also be careful of the "very real dangers" it brings.
The author fears that AI might "replace humans altogether." If someone can design computer viruses, then somebody can also create an AI that can reproduce itself. If this happens, AI could be a new form of life that can take the place of humans.
In fact, Hawking claims that artificial intelligence might have the ability to destroy the society. It could also be the worst thing that could ever happen to humanity. Talking at the technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this month, he said that people should find a way to know how to control computers.
The author explained that, theoretically, computers can imitate and even surpass human intelligence. "Success in creating effective AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization or the worst," he warned. He also added that people will never know whether these AIs are going to help humans infinitely or will be ignored by it, or could possibly be destroyed by it.
Talking about aliens, although Hawking supports the search for it, he frequently warns to avoid contact with these entities. In the video called "Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places" on CuriosityStream, he revealed that the aliens could potentially be "more powerful" and intelligent than humans.
These extraterrestrial creatures could only see human beings as invaluable as how people see microorganisms. Just like AI, aliens could also pose great threats to humanity if a person successfully makes contact. Hence, he said that it is a dangerous idea to communicate with these Martians.
