Could AI Trigger the End of the World?

Concerns have been raised about humanity’s future as AI development continues on its current path.

Artificial intelligence is advancing quickly, raising global concerns about safety and ethics. Many industry experts are alarmed about humanity’s and the planet’s future.

An AI researcher left his position at Anthropic after just four months, saying he didn’t want to participate in something that could potentially end civilization as we understand it.

In a statement on X, he declared, “The people building AI genuinely believe that it could potentially harm humanity by the end of the decade.” A senior staff member at Anthropic agreed, saying he believes the likelihood of this happening within the next ten years is over 10 percent.

These declarations have drawn considerable attention, leading to discussions about slowing AI research and improving “human control” over the technology. AI specialists warn that our intellectual limitations may hinder our ability to understand how AI could pose a lethal threat to humanity.

Many worry that we can’t predict what a superintelligence might do to eliminate less intelligent species like humans, since we would need superintelligence ourselves to understand its capabilities.

An Oxford philosopher proposed a thought experiment in which a superintelligent AI is programmed to maximize paperclip production. To achieve this goal, the AI converts all available matter, including humans, planets, and stars, into paperclips.

“This is a clear example of poorly defined objectives. The AI doesn’t hate humanity; it just sees us as atoms that could be better used for paperclips. 

The silver lining is that this situation confuses intelligence with power—superintelligent AI doesn’t necessarily have the means to achieve its goals.”

Turning the planet into paperclip factories would require planning permission. Research into AI dangers highlights the risk that a superintelligent AI could create and release a deadly bioweapon or pathogen that threatens humanity.

A report called the AI 2027 scenario, from the AI Futures Project, has drawn attention for its research-backed predictions about advanced AI. Stanford University researchers disclosed that they used a genetic language AI model to create 16 new viruses.

The researchers sent the genetic sequences to a mail-order laboratory, which returned the viruses in test tubes for a few hundred thousand dollars. Scientists argue that creating a mass extinction event with a new virus is biologically difficult, as highly transmissible viruses typically need to be less lethal.

A highly fatal virus typically spreads less effectively since infected individuals may die before transmitting it. Another concern is the potential for artificial intelligence to access nuclear command codes and trigger global conflict. While these systems are reportedly isolated from the internet, concerns remain about possible remote access.

In 2010, the Stuxnet computer worm disabled Iran’s nuclear centrifuges via a USB stick. Furthermore, AI could deliver faulty intelligence to military forces, potentially leading to unnecessary international backlash or counterattacks.

AI’s growth could lead to significant unemployment and flood the internet with false information, harming relationships and sparking conflicts. While these scenarios raise valid concerns, we shouldn’t worry too much.

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,