LONDON – A new research center opened its doors Wednesday at Britain's Cambridge University to look at the implications -- good and bad -- of artificial intelligence. Professor Stephen Hawking, who was due to speak at the center's launch later on Wednesday, said: "The rise of powerful AI will be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity. "We do not yet know which. The research done by this center will be crucial to the future of our civilization and of our species," he said. Making sure AI is used to benefit humanity is the express aim of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), funded by a 10 million ( 12.3 million) grant from the Leverhulme Trust. A collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Berkeley, California, the CFI will see researchers from multiple disciplines work with industry representatives and policymakers on projects ranging from regulation of autonomous weapons to the implications of AI for democracy. Its practical applications can help us to tackle important social problems, as well as easing many tasks in everyday life," said Margaret Boden, a professor of cognitive sciences and consultant to the CFI.

A new research centre opened its doors Wednesday at Britain's Cambridge University to look at the implications--good and bad--of artificial intelligence. Professor Stephen Hawking, who was due to speak at the centre's launch later on Wednesday, said: "The rise of powerful AI will be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity. "We do not yet know which. The research done by this centre will be crucial to the future of our civilisation and of our species," he said. Making sure AI is used to benefit humanity is the express aim of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), funded by a 10 million (11.2 million-euro, 12.3-million) grant from the Leverhulme Trust. A collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Berkeley, California, the CFI will see researchers from multiple disciplines work with industry representatives and policymakers on projects ranging from regulation of autonomous weapons to the implications of AI for democracy. Its practical applications can help us to tackle important social problems, as well as easing many tasks in everyday life," said Margaret Boden, a professor of cognitive sciences and consultant to the CFI.