Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessment
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Newly established commission identifies 17 catastrophic threats to human health but says ‘realistic route to act’ on each exists Humans 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 of 17 major threats
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A high-tech control room with multiple screens displaying graphs and warnings, a team of scientists in lab coats looking at a large digital clock counting down to the year 2100.
Caption: Looks like we're aiming for an early retirement.
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Based on the original story on theguardian.com.
Editor's note
While the prospect of humanity's extinction by 2100 due to AI and nuclear war is alarming, it's worth considering that this doomsday scenario overlooks the resilience and adaptability of human ingenuity. History shows that our capacity to innovate and collaborate in the face of existential threats often exceeds our pessimistic predictions.
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Panel 1
(a) The subject of this story is a global risk assessment conducted by a commission that evaluates threats to human health and survival. The assessment highlights catastrophic risks such as nuclear war and malicious use of AI. (b) The irony lies in the stark contrast between the dire predictions and the everyday, mundane nature of human existence. The idea that humanity could be on the brink of extinction but people continue to live their lives as if everything is normal is absurd. (c) The highlight is the underdog's perspective: a relatable character who sees the humor and absurdity in being told they might not survive the next century due to technological or geopolitical catastrophes. ---
Panel 2
*Setting: A small, cluttered apartment. A young woman, JENNY, is sprawled on a couch, surrounded by piles of books, snacks, and electronics. She's scrolling through a news app on her phone.* *Background noise: TV in the background, playing a news report about global risks.* JENNY (muttering)
JENNY: Ugh, another global apocalypse alert. Like I don't have enough to worry about.
Panel 3
*Setting: Same apartment. Jenny is sitting up, looking at the news app, her face showing a mix of exasperation and mild amusement.* JENNY (to herself)
JENNY: Seriously? Nuclear war and AI gone rogue? How am I supposed to enjoy my avocado toast with that hanging over my head?
Panel 4
*Setting: Apartment kitchen. Jenny is at the stove, cooking. She looks back at the TV, which is still playing the news report. A cartoon bomb and a robot are shown on the screen, with a voice-over about catastrophic threats.* JENNY (smiling, shaking her head)
JENNY: You know what? I'm just going to make some coffee and pretend this is a normal Tuesday. (pauses, then adds) Actually, I think I'll just make extra coffee. Just in case.
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