Stephen Hawking wary of AI ‘global arms race’

Professor Stephen Hawking has backed a call to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) technology being used in a “global arms race”.

The physicist, who has previously spoken out about the risks of AI, joined 1,000 other leading scientists and businessmen in signing an open letter from the Future of Life Institute.

The letter, presented at a major conference in Argentina, suggests the ability to create weapons which think for themselves, unlike remote-controlled drones, is “feasible within years”.