Stephen Hawking Issues Stern Warning On AI: Could Be 'Worst Thing' For Humanity

Physicist and thinker Stephen Hawking appeared on-stage at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal today via telepresence to warn humanity about the development of artificial intelligence. "AI could develop a will of its own," Hawking said in his signature computer-generated voice. "The rise of AI could be the worst or the best thing that has happened for humanity." AI and robots are already threatening millions of jobs, Hawking said, but can be used for pro-social purposes as well. That won't just happen by accident, however.