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arXiv:2507.09369cs.AI

A Taxonomy of Omnicidal Futures Involving Artificial Intelligence

Andrew Critch, Jacob Tsimerman

Abstract

This report presents a taxonomy and examples of potential omnicidal events resulting from AI: scenarios where all or almost all humans are killed. These events are not presented as inevitable, but as possibilities that we can work to avoid. Insofar as large institutions require a degree of public support in order to take certain actions, we hope that by presenting these possibilities in public, we can help to support preventive measures against catastrophic risks from AI.

arXiv comments
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
cs.AIArtificial Intelligence

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Linked by 3 identifiable commenters in 3 comments across 3 threads, from Jul 2026 to Oct 2026. Found in 2 HN submissions from Jul 2026 to Jul 2026. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments3 threads

  1. LeCun has "zero concerns" about AI wiping out humanity, recent "rogue" incidents 1 comment

    • I expect they are not to your very high standards of "non-handwavey, detail exactly how it happens", but this paper from Andrew Critch and Jacob Tsimerman describes 5 different scenarios where catastrophic human casualties occur as a result of AI either being misused or going…

      reasonablekloutView on HNParent context

  2. The Last 24 Hours Are the Opening Scene in a Horror Movie 1 comment

    • The Center for Human-Compatible AI at UC Berkeley (part of their EE/CS Department) wrote "A Taxonomy of Omnicidal Futures Involving Artificial Intelligence", and it gives an example in each taxonomic leaf node: https://arxiv.org/html/2507.09369v1

      buellerbuellerView on HNParent context

  3. Fields Medals 2026 1 comment

    • Scary stuff from one of the winners: "A Taxonomy of Omnicidal Futures Involving Artificial Intelligence" (Jacob Tsimerman, Andrew Critch) https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.09369

      hackandthinkView on HNParent context

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