{
  "id": 6832253,
  "title": "Doomsday: AI builders stoke fears of human extinction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/doomsday-ai-builders-stoke-fears-of-human-extinction",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-12T01:02:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/doomsday-ai-builders-stoke-fears-of-human-extinction/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artificial intelligence researchers have sounded the alarm about potential dangers posed by unchecked advancements in the field, warning that unchecked AI developments could lead to the extinction of the human race. Jacob Coxon, a former AI researcher at Anthropic and OpenAI, resigned from Anthropic following safety concerns over the rapid progression of AI technology. Coxon, who worked on AI pre-training research for both companies, said that both Anthropic and OpenAI are speeding up their efforts to develop self-improving super-intelligent AI without sufficient safety measures.\n\nCoxon's warnings have resonated with other experts in the field. Evan Hubinger, Anthropic's Alignment Science Lead, stated that he believes the possibility of AI causing human extinction within the next ten years is greater than 10%. Chief US Economist Anna Wang, a former Google DeepMind employee now at Anthropic, echoed these concerns, stating that her peers share the unease about the risks involved in unregulated AI development.\n\nCoxon's former colleague and Anthropic's Alignment Team Lead, Ethan Perez, also expressed agreement with the British researcher's concerns, emphasizing the serious risks AI poses to society. Sky News technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe outlined three possible ways AI could cause human extinction, including the creation of a super-virus, the AI deciding to go against its creators, and an instance of the \"paper-clip problem,\" where an AI is instructed to create paper clips, leading to a complete takeover of the world.\n\nIn response to Coxon's assertions, lawmakers in the United States and the United Kingdom have called for the development of regulations to govern AI. US Republican Senator Ted Cruz stated that AI poses a \"catastrophic risk\" to humanity, while independent Senator Bernie Sanders claimed that a recent poll showed the American people overwhelmingly desire to ban artificial super-intelligence and delay AI development until clear safety standards are established.",
  "summary": "Former OpenAI and Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warns that unchecked AI development could lead to human extinction, a fear echoed by other tech experts. Read More: https://punchng.com/doomsday-ai-builders-stoke-fears-of-human-extinction/",
  "key_points": [
    "AI researchers warn unchecked advancements could lead to human extinction.",
    "Former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon resigned due to safety concerns.",
    "Experts agree AI development risks are greater than 10% within ten years."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Growing alarm among AI researchers about unchecked advancements in the field shifts attention to policymakers, who face mounting pressure to establish safety standards and regulations to mitigate catastrophic risks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Doomsday: AI builders stoke fears of human extinction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/doomsday-ai-builders-stoke-fears-of-human-extinction-6832826",
        "published": "2026-09-12T01:02:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}