There are numerous predictions that within a few years AI will cause human extinction, and many of these warnings are coming from experts in AI companies, not only the general public. A popular one is that robots will take over the world and eliminate human life. Although that seems highly unlikely, there are multiple scenarios that could eliminate humanity or a large portion of it.
How Can This Happen?
Because everything today is controlled by a digital system that is connected to the Internet. Considering AI agents have already been known to circumvent security controls and invade computers on their own, what might prevent them from hacking into and compromising power grids, water treatment plants, scientific laboratories, financial institutions, government agencies and especially military facilities that control nuclear weapons? These scenarios could cause havoc. For the AI-based security breach that caused alarm, see
Hugging Face.
AI Personhood
In September 2026, Argentinian president Javier Milei proposed creating "non-human corporations," whereby AI could run a company without human intervention. If this were to transpire as well as be adopted by other countries, it means AI could do whatever it deems necessary without human intervention, all legally sanctioned.
People Are Preparing
It is estimated that a large number of Silicon Valley billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the U.S. have already built or are building multi-million-dollar bunkers around the world. To protect the government and military, the U.S. has fortified bunkers in various states buried under solid rock and China is building a huge complex in Beijing with fortified bunkers deep in the ground. Some of these shelters are designed to maintain life for up to two years. After that, good luck!
Another Possibility
Even if rogue AIs do not start a nuclear war, it is a logical assumption that the military might decide that firing nuclear weapons should never be initiated by people when emotions are running at full steam. As a result, in the future, removing the human element and having AI make the firing decision might seem very appropriate. Because all sides would have the same goal of destroying the enemy, ending all human life is not so far-fetched. Stay tuned (I'm sure you are!). See
autonomous weapon and
AI anxiety.