Speaking at the opening of the Centre for the Future of Intelligence last month, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking was asked about the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the human race. Sharing his belief that computers can emulate, and in fact exceed, human intelligence, Professor Hawking commented "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 statement epitomises the prevailing air of uncertainty around the implications of AI – will it be mankind's crowning achievement, or lead to our ultimate demise? Now I can't really argue with a man of Professor Hawking's intellect and experience, but I sit firmly on the side of optimism, and believe we are seeing the advent of a new era in how humans relate with machines.