Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessment
A new Lancet Commission report identifies 17 major threats to human health, warning that nuclear war and the malicious use of AI could lead to human extinction by 2100. Despite these risks, the report emphasizes that there are realistic pathways to mitigate these catastrophic outcomes.
Why it matters
This report provides a long-term risk assessment for global health and security, highlighting the need for proactive policy intervention regarding emerging technologies and geopolitical stability.
An environmental protest at Cop28, the UN climate summit in Dubai, 2023./Getty Images An environmental protest at Cop28, the UN climate summit in Dubai, 2023./Getty Images Global health Nuclear war and malicious use of AI threaten end of humanity by 2100, says Lancet assessment Newly established commission identifies 17 catastrophic threats to human health but says ‘realistic route to act’ on each exists
About this content Kat Lay Sun 11 Oct 2026 00.01 BST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Humans could become extinct by the year 2100 due to malicious use of AI or nuclear conflict, according to a new global risk assessment.
They top a list of 17 major threats to human health over the next 75 years, which also includes cuts to aid spending by wealthy countries, the climate crisis and childhood malnutrition.
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