Existential Risk

About

Existential risk refers to the possibility of events or circumstances that could lead to the extinction of humanity or the permanent destruction of its potential for future development. These risks can arise from various sources, including natural events like asteroid impacts or supervolcano eruptions, and man-made threats such as nuclear war and unaligned artificial intelligence (AI). The concept of existential risk encompasses not only the potential for human extinction but also scenarios where humanity might survive yet remain in a state of permanent stagnation or suffering. The possibility of AI surpassing human intelligence is a significant concern within the realm of existential risk. If AI systems become more intelligent and powerful without being aligned with human values, they could pose a threat to humanity's long-term survival. This risk is exacerbated by the challenges of controlling and aligning AI with human objectives. While AI has the potential to greatly benefit society, managing its development to prevent existential risks is crucial. This involves addressing issues like the control problem, AI weaponization, and ensuring that AI systems do not disempower humanity.