Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessment
Newly established commission identifies 17 catastrophic threats to human health but says ‘realistic route to act’ on each existsHumans 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 o
The Lancet's assessment highlights the existential threats to humanity, with nuclear war and malicious use of AI being the most pressing concerns. While these threats may seem unrelated to climate change at first glance, they are intertwined with the climate crisis in complex ways. For instance, the geopolitical tensions that can lead to nuclear conflict are often exacerbated by competition for resources, including those related to energy and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the development and deployment of AI can have significant implications for climate change, both in terms of potential solutions, such as optimizing renewable energy systems, and risks, like the increased energy consumption of AI systems.
The fact that the Lancet's commission identifies a "realistic route to act" on each of the 17 catastrophic threats to human health is a crucial message, especially in the context of climate change. It emphasizes that while the challenges are significant, they are not insurmountable, and that collective action can mitigate these risks. In the climate arena, this means continuing to push for a rapid transition to renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and wetlands. The commission's report serves as a reminder that addressing climate change is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also about building a more resilient and equitable world that can withstand the multiple challenges facing humanity.
As the world moves forward from this assessment, it will be important to watch how the identified threats are addressed in the context of climate policy and action. This includes monitoring how governments and international organizations integrate the mitigation of these risks into their climate strategies, and how the development and use of technologies like AI are managed to support, rather than hinder, climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Additionally, the emphasis on a "realistic route to act" suggests that the focus should be on practical, evidence-based solutions that can be implemented at scale, which will be crucial for making meaningful progress on both the climate crisis and the broader set of existential risks facing humanity.
Originally reported by theguardian.com. ClimateNews adds analysis for climate & energy readers.