Will artificial intelligence cause the end of life as we know it?

While ostensibly, artificial intelligence (AI) is the next logical step in technology, several
notable individuals have warned against the development of AI. Steven Hawking has
claimed the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human
race whilst Tesla executive, Elon Musk, has likened developing AI to summoning the
devil.
For decades, humans have safely used robots and machines from agriculture to
manufacturing. Indeed, the Industrial revolution in the 1800s was largely accredited to the
introduction of steam powered machines, machines able to outperform any human being.
We can, then, see similarities with artificial intelligence- computers that are smarter than
humans and can outperform us. There is certainly an argument for AI; it is entirely possible
that development of artificial intelligence could cause a second Industrial revolution. The
ability of these computers to think beyond the scope of human understanding could help
tackle global warming; solve the mystery that is outer space or perhaps even find a cure for
cancer. With AI, humans would be void of menial tasks, freeing time up and improving
quality of life. But most things that sound too good to be true, often are; AI certainly has its
risks and dangers.
The main argument against artificial intelligence stems from a basic proposition. By creating
a species that has greater intelligence than humans and can think for itself, will we cause
our own downfall? The threat seems to be real. Robots and computers with artificial
intelligence will be able to evolve at a much quicker rate than humans, who are limited by
slow, biological evolution. The unintended consequences of this could be disastrous;

machines could, through redesigning themselves, become a superior species. Therein lies
the threat.
One may assume artificial intelligence is some way off or something only seen in Sci-fi
movies but this is not the case. IBMs Watson is a continually adapting cognitive system
that can evaluate unstructured information and makes more informed decisions than
humans being possibly can, using vast amounts of data that we simply cannot process. The
aim of this is to make decisions for people, from doctors to stockbrokers, based on factual
evidence. The advent of IBMs Watson and Googles self-driving cars displays the practical
uses of AI, but in doing so exposes the reality of its threat. With AI in the wrong hands,
Watson could be used for the wrong reasons and the self-driving car could develop a mind
of its own.
Artificial intelligence could certainly cause the end of life as we know it, but perhaps in a
different way than that suggested by Steven Hawking. By creating machines that can
complete tasks more efficiently and effectively than the human race, we can advance our
species at an unprecedented rate. As for the threat of AI becoming a superior species, there
is certainly regulation required, particularly in military use, but the benefits associated with
AI far outweigh its threat to our existence.