This article, published by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, discusses existing and possible treaties for a range of emerging technologies, including bioengineering, geoengineering, and artificial intelligence. The article summarizes the recent law paper Minimizing global catastrophic and existential risks from emerging technologies through international law.
The article begins as follows:
Mankind has really popped the planet in the jaw the last few centuries: six million hectares is lost to deforestation every year; the ocean is increasingly acidic and void of fish; the planet’s sixth mass extinction seems to be underway; and human-caused climate change is already raising sea levels, aggravating droughts, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy.
One possible remedy to these and other grave threats to the planet comes from “emerging technologies” like bioengineering, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and geoengineering. With an influx of government support and a budding marketplace, scientists are developing emerging technologies at a rapid pace, placing mankind on the cusp of being able to create life, engineer microscopic mechanical systems, alter the entire atmosphere, and create superintelligent AI.
The remainder of the article is available in PDF archive.
Image credit: Patrick Gruban
This blog post was published on 17 April 2024 as part of a website overhaul and backdated to reflect the time of the publication of the work referenced here.