Why AI-caused human extinction this decade is near-impossible: the social contract breaks first
flexingonmyself · reddit · 2026-09-22
A Reddit essay argues AI-driven human extinction this decade is essentially impossible because AI depends on human society before it can self-sustain: - AI is nowhere near maintaining the physical infrastructure it needs; it relies on one of the world's most fragile supply chains. - Any near-term mass chaos would collapse the social contract AI needs long before autonomy is achieved; a labor backlash would sever its lifeline. - The capability paradox: an AI smart enough to plan a takeover would understand it must first prove net-positive value to society. Either AI benefits humanity meaningfully soon, or the infrastructure sustaining it collapses first.
Related event: Reddit Essay Argues AI Unlikely to Exterminate Humanity Within a Decade(2 posts)→
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