Stephen Hawking On Genetic Engineering vs. AI

Pointing to this story on Ananova, bl968 writes: "Stephen Hawking the noted physicist has suggested using genetic engineering and biomechanical interfaces to computers in order to make possible a direct connection between brain and computers, 'so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.' His idea is that with artificial intelligence and computers, which increase their performance every 18 months, we face the real possibility of the enslavement of the human race." garren_bagley adds this link to a similar story on Yahoo!, unfortunately just as short. Hawking certainly is in a position shared by few to talk about the intersection of human intellect and technology.

Comments

I can just imagine...

[Naerbnic]

"As we start this yearly meeting of the... BZZZZT! General Protection Fault! Please press both cheeks and forehead to reset..."

He should know.

[Faux_Pseudo]

He is the poster child for this kind of research..
When Hawking says that we shouldn't modify humans with technolagy he speeks not from some higher than thou purch but from the viewpoint of a someone who is alive today because of the magic of human and tech mingleing..
.
On a funny note does any one know where I can get an mp3 of him saying these things?.
The first time I did acid I was listening to the audio version of "Brief History".
Don't try that at home..
(synth voice).
(acid).
Inside a black hole "You would be crushed like spaghetti".
(/acid).
(/synth voice)(reality check = bounce)

Re:He should know.

[PD]

Yes I agree. When we hear of a new idea, we must ask ourselves "Who would have the most to gain by this?" The answer in this case is Stephen Hawking! Brain implants would certainly level the playing field.

I urge all of you not to get brain implants. It's all part of the master plan to make every person in the human race into Stephen Hawking's personal slave.

When a gaming habit goes too far

[Nick Number]

"Stephen Hawking the noted physicist has suggested using genetic engineering and biomechanical interfaces to computers in order to make possible a direct connection between brain and computers

Aha, so that's how he got to be such a Quake master.

I can just see the negative effects of this;

[James Skarzinskas]

In the most intimate of moments: Excuse me for a moment! Another one of those darned X-10 web cam advertisements just came to my mind!

Evolution

[Ezubaric]

Hawking probably never even said anything like this, and it's been blown out of proportion.

What Hawking said to the Cambridge flunky that delivered his new laptop:
This is four times more powerful than the one I just got three years ago. Too bad I'm not.

What Nature quoted:
Lucasian chair ponders the asymmetrical development of technology and biology in conference at Cambridge. Will computer's growth outpace that of humanity? For complete proceedings, send a check for five thousand pounds to . . .

What the London Times reported:
World's Smartest Man: Computers obey Moore's law - soon we'll obey computers.

What the Weekly World News claimed:
Mad Scientist in England has Designed Computer that will Enslave Humanity: Hawking 666

What the Onion published.

Now Slashdot will find the truth . . . thank God for legitimate journalism!

Re:Enslavement?

[Darth_Burrito]

Enslavement, bah, that happened decades ago with the invention of the alarm clock.

Scooped by The Onion

[Paul the Bold]

You have been scooped. This article from The Onion shows Hawking's deep commitment to the process of using technology to improve the human condition.

A better idea

[Everyman]

Why not alter our genes to prevent misanthropic scientists from taking over the world?