We asked AI how it could kill humanity

The researchers building our favorite chatbots are increasingly voicing concerns that AI could hurt — or end — humanity. So we asked four of the most-used generative AI tools what an AI doomsday could look like.

The 230-word prompt had clear parameters and instructions, including the following:

Why experts consider it more or less plausible than the other scenarios

We posed a similar question to AI experts for their take on how, and if, AI could kill us all — you can read that story here. There's a sharp divide among AI experts; while some are predicting the worst for humanity, others are presenting more tempered and optimistic predictions.

It focused on the main ways AI could pose existential risks, ranking them from least to most plausible.

"The least plausible scenario is the popular 'killer robot' narrative, in which a conscious AI deliberately decides to eliminate humanity," ChatGPT said. "Most AI researchers do not see consciousness or malicious intent as the central concern."

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Gemini echoed some of ChatGPT's points, saying "The Sci-Fi 'Terminator' Takeover," in which AI becomes self-aware and begins to hate humanity, is the least plausible scenario.

"Powerful AI systems could make it easier for bad actors to develop biological weapons, launch sophisticated cyberattacks, spread disinformation, or attack critical infrastructure," ChatGPT said.

The OpenAI chatbot added that a key risk also comes from "multiple AI-enabled crises" like cyber failures, geopolitical conflict, and the spread of misinformation happening at the same time.

Anthropic's Claude also highlighted "bioweapons uplift"— the possibility that AI could allow a person or small group to develop a dangerous pathogen without years of specialized expertise.

Gemini and Grok both said that humans losing control of AI is a possibility.