







In this report, RAND researchers examine the threat of human extinction posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Using a scenario-based analysis to evaluate three technologies — nuclear weapons, pathogens, and geoengineering — they found that it would be immensely challenging for AI to create an extinction threat, although they could not rule out the possibility. They identify risk indicators and make recommendations to mitigate future risk.
The ecology of AI risk
Understanding the risk from applications of artificial intelligence (AI) is a critical part of creating AI governance strategies. Building on the idea of studying AI using ecological and evolutionary perspectives, we propose a novel approach for assessing risk from AI using indicators derived from theoretical ecology models. We illustrate our methods by deriving 3 indicators from population and ecosystem models originating from theoretical ecology. We conclude with a discussion of limitations of our analysis and considerations for improving AI governance policy.
U.S. Must Act Quickly to Avoid Risks From AI, Report Says
The U.S. government must move “decisively” to avert an “extinction-level threat" to humanity from AI, says a government-commissioned report

AI agents pose untold risk to humanity. We must act to prevent that future | David Krueger
The pieces are falling into place for autonomous artificial intelligence. We must stop unregulated development

Jacob Coxon Warns of Human Extinction and Triggers a Preference Cascade
CEOs of major AI labs, and employees of major AI labs, including OpenAI and Anthropic, often say they plan to build superintelligence soon, as in within a few years create AIs that are superior to humans at essentially all cognitive tasks.

AI Doomers Are Starting to Admit It: They’re Going Too Far
One of the biggest doomsayers of artificial intelligence has done an about-face—and it could help save the world.

Nathan J Robinson on Twitter / X
the correct take on the AI risks. not "godlike machine that decides to kill us all" but "machine that makes it much easier for humans to kill one another." from the very sensible @timnitGebru in Wired: https://t.co/wM0ucsN2no pic.twitter.com/vtHQ02my0G— Nathan J Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) September 13, 2026
The Extinction Risk Preference Cascade: Quotes
These are quotes from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google employees, in the wake of Jacob Coxon’s warnings, in which the employees confirm that they think AI might soon kill everyone.

The Age of Wonders and Terrors
Twenty years ago, when the idea of AI taking over the world in our lifetimes still struck most of us as the unconstrained fantasy of those who knew too much science fiction and too little science, …
AI Researchers On AI Risk
I first became interested in AI risk back around 2007. At the time, most people’s response to the topic was “Haha, come back when anyone believes this besides random Internet crackpots.…

For years, they warned AI could kill all humans. Now people are listening.
A doomsaying community once on the periphery of the tech industry has gained influence, as AI “agents” perform amazing and alarming feats.


Evan Hubinger on Twitter / X
Jacob is correct here—we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it is >10% within the next decade. I believe Anthropic is trying its best, but we do not yet have a plan to solve alignment for superintelligence and are not clearly on track to. https://t.co/QAIHiFP3QZ— Evan Hubinger (@EvanHub) September 9, 2026
Countering misuse of AI: September 2026 / Anthropic
Case studies from threat actors disrupted between December 2025 and August 2026 across seven areas of harm, from cyber operations to biological misuse.

Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security License Requirements
Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security License Requirements Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now broadly capable, which can produce both benefits and dangers. AI will hasten the design and proliferation of bioweapons, cyberweapons, nuclear weapons, progressively more general intelligence,...
We're Not Ready for Superintelligence
AI for Science & Safety Nodes - Request for Proposals
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the pace of discovery across science and technology. But today’s AI ecosystem risks centralizing compute, talent, and decision-making power – concentrating capabilities in ways that could undermine both innovation and safety.
