Module 4 / Lesson 11.1

What Makes AI an Existential Risk?

1 min read

This lesson examines the pathways through which artificial intelligence could pose existential risks. Unlike general technological concerns, existential risk focuses on the possibility that AI could cause the permanent and irreversible loss of humanity’s potential. Students will explore multiple perspectives, from philosophical reflections to technical pathways, and review how experts estimate the probability of extreme outcomes. It consists of 5 sub-lessons:

11.1.1: Is AI Amazing or Terrible?
11.1.2: AI Risk: Miuse & Misalignment
11.1.3: What Experts Think

Key Takeaways

AI risks can be categorized into misuse (intentional harm by humans) and misalignment (AI pursuing goals in unintended ways).
Existential risk is not about minor failures but about irreversible global consequences.
Experts strongly disagree on the likelihood of catastrophic AI outcomes, with estimates of P(doom) ranging from negligible to alarmingly high.

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