According to a team of philosophers, mathematicians and scientists at Oxford University of the Future of Humanity, there is growing evidence that our dependence on technology can cause the demise of the human race.
The media are actively discussing a whole range of probable catastrophes that could destroy humanity, but the most "popular" threats, including an asteroid fall, earthquake and volcanic eruptions, are unlikely to destroy the world's population in the near future.
This is the opinion of Nick Bostrom, a philosopher and director of the University of the Future of Humanity, who, together with colleagues, is trying to determine the real reasons for the death of people.
In the last published release, experts noted that people will destroy themselves through their technologies.
According to Bostrom, at the moment there is a real technological race between the countries, so people will have to become wise enough to use innovation only for good.
Added to well-known threats such as the nuclear holocaust are rapidly evolving technologies such as machine intelligence and nanosystems, which carry both unprecedented opportunities and risks.
The technology for the production of destructive nanobots looks much simpler than the creation of effective protection against such attacks. Therefore, it is quite possible that we will have to go through a period of vulnerability, when it will not be possible to allow these technologies to fall into the “wrong” hands.
It should not be forgotten that the threat of a nuclear holocaust continues to confront humanity. Despite the ongoing nuclear disarmament, future races in this area cannot be ruled out. And this can lead to the creation of arsenals many times higher than those created during the Cold War.
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There is also the possibility of creating poorly programmed artificial intelligence. Sooner or later, such a technology will appear, but if scientists are wrong in their calculations, then the intellectual superiority of machines will allow them to completely destroy humanity.
Genetic experimentation is another danger. The development of genetic technologies taking place at the moment may allow any "evil genius" to develop a "doomsday virus". Moreover, dangerous viruses can appear by chance as part of laboratory experiments, starting to spread throughout the planet.
Another potential threat that ecologists talk about is the destruction of ecosystems and the depletion of resources. The natural resources necessary for the existence of a high-tech civilization are rapidly disappearing. Therefore, if something, such as a cataclysm, destroys the technologies that we possess, then it will be very difficult to reach the current level of progress again.
Deliberate abuse of nanotechnology can be a direct path to death. Advances in science will create bacteria-sized, self-replicating robots that can be used against humans.