Artificial Intelligence and Large-Scale Threats to Humanity

This chapter provides a concise introduction to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on major man-made, large-scale threats to humanity: the risk of nuclear war and the climate crisis. AI has a sizable carbon footprint. But the AI research and commercial communities may adopt good practices to reduce this footprint and to develop AI applications supporting climate warming mitigation. It has been suggested that AI systems may improve nuclear weapons command and control. But AI scientists must raise awareness about the downsides of this proposal and the potentially negative impact of AI on nuclear deterrence. Coherent with the inspiring principles of Digital Humanism, ethical and political responsibilities are identified to reduce AI’s role in the buildup of these man-made, large-scale threats to humanity.