Stephen Hawking

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.

I think the discovery of supersymmetric partners for the known particles would revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

Why are we here? Where do we come from? Traditionally, these are questions for philosophy, but philosophy is dead.

As Irving Good realised in 1965, machines with superhuman intelligence could repeatedly improve their design even further, triggering what Vernor Vinge called a 'singularity.'

There is a real danger that computers will develop intelligence and take over. We urgently need to develop direct connections to the brain so that computers can add to human intelligence rather than be in opposition.

It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

Exploration by real people inspires us.

I think the brain is essentially a computer and consciousness is like a computer program. It will cease to run when the computer is turned off. Theoretically, it could be re-created on a neural network, but that would be very difficult, as it would require all one's memories.

I have visited Japan several times and have always been shown wonderful hospitality.

The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities.