Health · Public Health & Disease · 4 hrs ago
Lancet commission warns nuclear war and malicious AI could threaten humanity by 2100
A commission of 35 experts convened by The Lancet identified 17 major threats to human health through 2100.
It said nuclear conflict and malicious uses of artificial intelligence, including creating biological weapons, carry a small but non-zero risk of human extinction.
A nuclear war could block sunlight and trigger famine, while AI could help create biological weapons.
The commission also included threats such as climate change, pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, obesity and low educational attainment.
It measured threats by the healthy years people could lose to illness, disability and early death, and included risks that could be reduced through policy.
The commission said the threats interact and should be addressed together, while stressing that action can make a difference.
Its assessment is due to be updated each year as new data and hazards emerge.
A Lancet commission assessment says malicious use of artificial intelligence and nuclear conflict could pose extinction risks within the next 75 years.
The assessment identifies 17 major threats to human health through 2100, including climate breakdown, air pollution and childhood malnutrition.
The commission says the threats interact and should be addressed together, while stressing that there are ways to act on each.
The assessment models potential losses of healthy life and is due to be updated annually.
- Who
- The Lancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health, made up of 35 experts.
- What
- Its assessment identifies 17 major health threats, including malicious AI use and nuclear conflict that could threaten human extinction.
- When
- The assessment covers the next 75 years, through 2100.
- Where
- The findings are to be shared at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The commission aimed to assess major threats to health and identify risks that have potential solutions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Guardian reported on the commission’s assessment of 17 major threats to human health.
The commission’s findings are due to be shared at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.
The assessment is to be updated to reassess the 17 threats and incorporate new data and emerging hazards.
- Commission
- 35 experts
- Threats identified
- 17
- Assessment period
- 75 years, through 2100
- Nuclear conflict and malicious AI
- The assessment says both carry risks of extinction in the next 75 years.
- Potential aid-related health loss
- Up to 1.5 billion disability-adjusted life years before 2100
- Summit location
- Berlin, Germany
What people are saying
Decisions made by leaders today will shape the health and wellbeing of the next generation.
We’re starting from the premise that if you are a policymaker today, whether at the global multilateral level or at the national level, these are the potential threats that you could face, and this is the magnitude by which, if you act, you can actually make a difference.
Sources
Is the World Ending? A Lancet Commission Says Maybe
Nuclear war, malicious AI pose extinction risk by 2100 among 17 health threats: Lancet
The Lancet: AI-misbruik en nucleaire oorlog vormen direct uitstervingsrisico mensheid voor 2100
Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessment
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