Professor Stephen Hawking has warned against the development of artificial intelligence, according to Digital Spy.

In an interview with the BBC, the scientist claims building technology that has the ability to think poses a threat to humankind's existence.

He said: "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race."

Hawking's answer came in response to a question about the technology he uses to communicate, which involves a basic form of artificial intelligence. The technology learns how Hawking thinks and suggests words that he could use next. Hawking added that basic AI has proved useful, but he fears the potential consequences of creating something powerful.

"It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate," he said. "Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete, and would be superseded."

Eddie Redmayne stars as Hawking in forthcoming biopic The Theory of Everything, which opens in the UK on January 1.

Hawking has also expressed a wish to play a James Bond villain.