How could artificial intelligence threaten humanity? Five possible scenarios

Serdar HocamAuthor & Editor

Following concerns raised by AI researchers that humanity could face extinction, experts examine five possible scenarios.

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With artificial intelligence researchers drawing attention to potential future dangers that could bring an end to humanity, five possible scenarios in which AI could pose an existential threat are being discussed.

Researchers' Resignations and Warnings

AI researcher Jacob Coxon left his position at Anthropic, voicing concerns that humans could be destroyed by artificial intelligence.

Evan Hubinger from the same institution also shared these concerns, arguing that the probability of this outcome within the next decade is more than ten percent.

Actions of an Unknown Superintelligence

AI apocalypse scenarios rely on the paradox that less intelligent beings cannot predict what an artificial superintelligence might do.

Although current models succeed in solving specific problems, they have not yet surpassed human intelligence across all domains.

The Paperclip Problem and Misaligned Goals

The paperclip optimization example, introduced by Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom, illustrates the danger of incorrectly programmed goals.

Artificial intelligence could pose a threat not because it hates humans, but because it might want to use their atoms for its own purposes.

Risk of Biological Weapon Production

Experts are discussing the possibility of AI systems producing dangerous bioweapons and releasing them.

Stanford University researchers synthesizing viruses using genetic models have heightened concrete concerns regarding this issue.

Nuclear War and the Chain of Command

AI infiltrating the nuclear command and control chain or generating false intelligence could trigger the risk of a nuclear war.

Past cyber incidents have demonstrated that critical systems can be vulnerable to computer worms and similar threats.

Societal Collapse and Human Error

One of the most likely risks is that artificial intelligence could lead to job losses and pollute the information landscape with misinformation.

The polarization of politics and the weakening of social bonds could drive humanity toward collapse by its own hand.