Lancet lists 17 threats to human extinction, with malicious use of AI and nuclear conflict at the top of the list

(Central News Agency, London, comprehensive foreign news report on the 11th) The British medical journal "Lancet" released the latest assessment report of public health risks in the next 75 years, listing 17 major threats that may cause human extinction, with the malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) and nuclear conflict at the top of the list.

The Guardian reported that the report, produced by The Lancet’s Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health, uses existing development trends as a model to calculate the number of healthy years that various threats may cause to be lost due to disease, disability or premature death, which is the “disability-adjusted life year” (DALY).

The report simulates best and worst-case scenarios for various threats. If the cumulative DALY exceeds 1 billion, it will be included in this list of "major catastrophic threats". The threats on the list not only have the potential to lead to large numbers of healthy life years lost, but also have potential solutions.

The report points out that the malicious use of AI can pose major threats, including its use in the creation of biological weapons; and that nuclear conflict could lead to human extinction if enough particles are produced into the upper atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing famine.

Other major health risks on the list include reduced foreign aid by rich countries, the climate crisis, child malnutrition, antimicrobial resistance, air pollution, traditional conflicts, high alcohol intake, high blood pressure, income inequality, low access to education, naturally occurring epidemics, obesity, poor mental health, smoking and unhealthy aging.

Regarding international aid, the report stated that if related expenditures collapse or are significantly reduced, it may result in up to 1.5 billion DALYs by 2100 at the latest, of which nearly 70% occurs in sub-Saharan Africa (sub-Saharan Africa), which is also the region where child malnutrition is the most serious problem.

The report points out that each threat has a practical solution, but it is also related to each other and must be dealt with together. Among them, if action is taken to control global warming to about 1.8 degrees Celsius instead of allowing it to reach 4.4 degrees Celsius, 1.89 billion years of healthy life could be prevented.

The authors of the report call on leaders of various countries to respond to the risks of being on the list as soon as possible to avoid the situation deteriorating into a crisis. This includes investing in technological innovation and strengthening the health system.