technological-catastrophe
The chapter discusses how advanced technologies increase the risk of large-scale disasters, including engineered pandemics and autonomous weapon attacks.
2 chapters across 1 book
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma (2023)Mustafa Suleyman; Michael Bhaskar
Chapter 12 explores the catastrophic risks posed by emerging technologies, particularly AI and synthetic biology, emphasizing the unprecedented scale and speed at which disasters could occur. It outlines plausible scenarios of technological misuse leading to mass harm, the dilemma between authoritarian containment and catastrophic failure, and the challenges of managing AI's power and unpredictability. The chapter stresses that while most technological use will be beneficial, the potential for extreme misuse demands urgent attention and governance.
Chapter 12, titled 'The Dilemma,' explores the existential risks posed by advanced technologies such as AI and biosecurity threats, referencing historical catastrophes like World War I and the Aum Shinrikyo cult's biological weapons program. It discusses the potential for global disaster due to emerging technologies, the surveillance state as a response to these risks, and the demographic and resource challenges facing nations in the 21st century. The chapter draws on various expert analyses and forecasts to highlight the tension between technological progress and societal collapse.