Renowned theoretical physicist professor Stephen Hawking believes artificial intelligence (AI) could spell the demise of mankind.

Hawking, one of the world's most eminent thinkers and scientists, previously expressed doubts about the development of full artificial intelligence, but this time went even further by saying humans are limited by slow biological evolution and could not compete with the changing times.

Like Us on Facebook

"The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race," Hawking told BBC News on Tuesday.

AI, would "supersede" humans as it could stand on its own and remake itself at a rate that increases as time goes by, Hawking explained.

In one way, Hawking ought to know about AI. He has long suffered the ravaging effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has been confined to a wheelchair and inert body for decades, far outliving the general prognosis of death for ALS victims.

Hawking uses a recently developed AI system developed by Intel to speak. Swiftkey, a British company specializing in machine learning robotics, was involved in developing the system. It allows Hawking to use a smartphone keyboard app to understand his thoughts and suggest words to use to express those thoughts.

The words are spoken in a robotic voice that Hawking says he prefers because it has become a personal trademark, sort of like having a British accent for others.

The director of research at Britain's prestigious Cambridge University Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Hawking has been an enthusiastic user of advanced communication technologies and ever-smarter AI systems.

While primitive artificial intelligence development has been positive, Hawking wonders bout the consequences of developing systems that were more intelligence than humans. Others are not quite so sanguine about the future of humans and artificial intelligence.

Rollo Carpenter, developer of Cleverbot, said algorithms necessary for full AI are decades away with the jury out on whether that would be helpful, not important or dangerous. Carpenter believes it would be a positive development.

Stephen Hawking's viewpoint, though, has allies. Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk said AI is the biggest threat to human existence. He is concerned intelligent machines would eliminate millions of human jobs by doing them far better.

TagsStephen Hawking, AI, apocalypse, human existence, Rollo Carpenter, biological evolution, Robots