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Renowned physicist Prof Stephen Hawking has said robots will eventually completely replace humanity.

Prof Hawking said that he believes artificial intelligence (AI) will eventually reach a level where it will essentially be a "new form of life that will outperform humans" in an interview with WIRED magazine.

He said: "I fear that AI may replace humans altogether. If people design computer viruses, someone will design AI that improves and replicates itself. This will be a new form of life that outperforms humans."

The 75-year-old also spoke of his belief that we need a new space age to entice young people to get involved in science and said there would be "serious consequences" if more people didn't show an interest.

He added that he thinks a new space programme should be worked on urgently by the science community "with a view to eventually colonising suitable planets for human habitation."

He continued: "I believe we have reached the point of no return. Our earth is becoming too small for us, global population is increasing at an alarming rate and we are in danger of self-destructing."

During the interview Prof Hawking also spoke out against Donald Trump's travel ban and the US President's climate change denial.

In October last year (2016), Prof Hawking said he believed AI would either destroy or transform society.

Speaking at the launch of Cambridge University's artificial intelligence centre last year Prof Hawking said: "I believe there is no deep difference between what can be achieved by a biological brain and what can be achieved by a computer.

"It therefore follows that computers can, in theory, emulate human intelligence – and exceed it.

"Artificial intelligence is now progressing rapidly. Recent landmarks such as self-driving cars, or a computer winning at the game of Go, are signs of what is to come.

"Enormous levels of investment are pouring into this technology. The achievements we have seen so far will surely pale against what the coming decades will bring.”

He went on: "The potential benefits of creating intelligence are huge. We cannot predict what we might achieve, when our own minds are amplified by AI.

"Perhaps with the tools of this new technological revolution, we will be able to undo some of the damage done to the natural world by the last one - industrialisation.

"And surely we will aim to finally eradicate disease and poverty. Every aspect of our lives will be transformed, In short, success in creating AI, could be the biggest event in the history of our civilisation."

He added: "But it could also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks. Alongside the benefits, AI will also bring dangers, like powerful autonomous weapons, or new ways for the few to oppress the many."

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