How, Exactly, Could A.I. Kill Us?

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-17T00:11:35.949Z • Permanent link

Thomas Netter, the CEO of Nervana Systems, a company acquired by Intel in 2016 for $685 million, has been a vocal advocate for the dangers of superintelligent AI. In a 2018 interview with Wired, Netter warned that creating machines that surpass human intelligence could be a "tragedy" for humanity. His concerns are echoed by other AI researchers and executives, including Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera and former chief scientist at Baidu, who has spoken about the need for more transparent and accountable AI development.

The warning signs are being sounded by a growing number of AI professionals, who are increasingly concerned about the potential risks of their work. In 2020, the AI Now Institute, a research organization based at New York University, released a report that highlighted the need for greater regulation of AI systems. The report, which was authored by a team of researchers led by Kate Crawford, a professor at NYU, found that AI systems are being used to discriminate against marginalized groups, and that the lack of transparency and accountability in AI development is a major concern.

The development of superintelligent AI is a complex and multifaceted issue, and it is not yet clear whether it is possible to create machines that truly surpass human intelligence. However, the potential risks of AI are very real, and they should not be underestimated. As the AI industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders work together to develop more transparent, accountable, and responsible AI systems.

The warnings being sounded by AI professionals are having a significant impact on the research community, with many researchers calling for greater transparency and accountability in AI development. The AI Now Institute's report, for example, has been widely cited by researchers and policymakers, and it has helped to raise awareness about the potential risks of AI. The report's findings have also been taken up by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, who have been working on a project to develop more transparent and accountable AI systems.

The impact of the AI warnings is also being felt in the markets, where investors are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential risks of AI. In 2020, the AI-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) iShares North American Tech ETF (IGM) fell by 15% in the fourth quarter, as investors became more cautious about the potential risks of AI. The decline in the ETF's value was also reflected in the stock prices of AI-focused companies, including NVIDIA and Alphabet, which fell by 10% and 5%, respectively, in the fourth quarter.

The warnings being sounded by AI professionals are part of a larger pattern of concern about the potential risks of AI. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile incidents involving AI systems, including the development of autonomous vehicles that have been involved in fatal accidents. These incidents have raised questions about the safety and reliability of AI systems, and they have highlighted the need for greater regulation and oversight.