AI misuse and nuclear war could end humanity by 2100, Lancet commission warns
nordicinst · x · 2026-10-11
A newly established Lancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health identifies 17 catastrophic threats to human health over the next 75 years, topping the list with malicious use of AI (including bioweapons) and nuclear conflict with nuclear famine — both carrying potential extinction risk by 2100, albeit with low probability.
Other threats include aid spending cuts by wealthy nations, the climate crisis, and childhood malnutrition. The commission modeled each threat in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) along current trajectories, stressing that the threats interact and must be addressed together, but that "a realistic route to act" exists for each. Co-chair Christopher Murray (University of Washington) said today's decisions will shape the next generation's health and wellbeing.
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