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Have AI apocalypse warnings reached critical mass?

Warnings about AI's threats to civilization are louder than ever, but it's not clear yet how many are listening.

Have AI apocalypse warnings reached critical mass?

AI apocalypse warnings have reached critical mass, according to a researcher who recently resigned from Anthropic. Jacob Coxon, a 27-year-old pre-training researcher, announced his departure on X, warning that both OpenAI and Anthropic are racing to develop self-improving superintelligence and gambling with humanity's lives. His post has garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and sparked widespread concern.

This news came at a time when data centers across the country were already facing opposition, with over 300 moratoriums, bans, and restrictions in 32 states. The backlash against AI technology is not only political but also rooted in anger from communities affected by the industry's physical footprint and rising electricity costs.

As the election cycle intensifies, the fear surrounding AI could shape the midterms and the 2028 presidential election, potentially tipping the balance in favor of those advocating for a slowdown in AI development.

Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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