The beginning of history: surviving the era of catastrophic risk

Abstract

The average mammal species persists for a million years, but humanity could potentially last far longer, possibly inhabiting space and continuing for billions of years. The article argues that humanity faces a significant risk of extinction from new technologies that could lead to a catastrophic outcome, even more so than from natural disasters. These threats include artificial intelligence, pandemics caused by engineered pathogens, and nanotechnology weapons. The article discusses the challenges of managing these risks, such as the difficulty of international cooperation and the lack of adequate funding for risk-mitigation measures. It concludes by emphasizing the need for a cultural shift in perspective, recognizing that humanity is at the beginning of its history and must act proactively to ensure a future for its descendants. – AI-generated abstract