AI is among 17 potentially ‘catastrophic threats’ that researchers say require targeted action

More than a dozen “interconnected catastrophic threats” pose significant risk to global health and wellbeing through the remainder of the 21st century, researchers say – including the potential for extinction. But targeted action from world leaders can help avoid worst-case scenarios. Using data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease study, a commission of 35 leaders from various industries forecast the total years of good health that could be lost by the global population by due to sickness, disability or premature mortality from a range of threats. Their findings, published in the journal The Lancet, identify 17 threats that pose the greatest danger – but also have the potential for realistic intervention. The threats include health conditions and behaviors – such obesity, high blood pressure, smoking and mental health – as well as economic conditions, environmental change, technology and conflict.