Nuclear war and malicious AI threaten human extinction by 2100

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 11:13 · Archive

A new global risk assessment identifies malicious AI and nuclear conflict as the top threats to human extinction by 2100.

A newly established Lancet Commission has released a global risk assessment identifying 17 catastrophic threats to human health over the next 75 years. Malicious use of AI and nuclear conflict top the list, with both posing risks of human extinction by 2100, though the commission noted their likelihood remains low.

Nuclear conflict could lead to extinction through nuclear famine caused by particles injected into the upper atmosphere that block sunlight. Malicious AI poses risks including the creation of biological weapons. The commission also identified cuts to aid spending by wealthy countries, the climate crisis and childhood malnutrition as major threats.

Prof Christopher Murray, commission co-chair and director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said 'decisions made by leaders today will shape the health and wellbeing of the next generation'. The experts stressed that the threats interact and must be addressed together, but emphasised there was 'a realistic route to act' on each one.

How it is being reported

• Greatest threats to human survival revealed as two could wipe us out by next centuryThreats range from nuclear war to obesity Nuclear war and the malicious use of AI could lead to the extinction of the human race by the end of this century, global experts have warned. Scientists from The Lancet said nuclear conflict could kill 133 million people by 2100. Their new report also…Metro · 11 Oct, 11:20
• AI and nuclear war threaten human extinction by 2100, report warnsMalicious use of AI and nuclear conflict pose the biggest threat to human extinction by the year 2100, global experts have warned.Sky News · 11 Oct, 08:54
• Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessmentNewly established commission identifies 17 catastrophic threats to human health but says ‘realistic route to act’ on each exists Humans could become extinct by the year 2100 due to malicious use of AI or nuclear conflict, according to a new global risk assessment. They top a list of 17 major threats to human health over the next 75 years, which also includes cuts to aid spending by wealthy countries, the climate crisis and childhood malnutrition. Continue reading...The Guardian · 11 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Lancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health · Christopher Murray · Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation · University of Washington

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