A-Z Popular Blog Sustainability Search »
Technology
 Advertisements
Related Guides
Technology Ethics
top   »  risk   »  business risks   »  existential risk

What is Existential Risk?

 , April 02, 2016 updated on August 23, 2017
An existential risk is a potential for life on earth to end. Alternatively it is defined as the potential for a negative outcome that dramatically sets back quality of life on a global basis.
Existential risks tend to be associated with technology and its intended or unintended consequences. Technology related existential risks include the potential for an invention or experiment to grow out of control and suddenly become an insurmountable problem. Technology risks also include long term problems that become obvious but that go unresolved due to political obstacles or conflict between countries. A third category of existential risk is a natural disaster of great scope such as the eruption of a supervolcano or impact of a large asteroid.
Due to the large-scale impact of existential risks it often makes sense to invest in preventing them even if they have a small probability of occurring.
Overview: Existential Risk
TypeRisk
Definition (1)Potential for an outcome that ends advanced life on earth.
Definition (2)Potential for an outcome that dramatically reduces quality of life on a global basis.
Related ConceptsQuality Of Life
Precautionary Principle
Risk Treatment
Risk Mitigation

Technology Ethics

This is the complete list of articles we have written about technology ethics.
Accountability
Agency
Cultural Lag
Culture Lag
Dark Patterns
Digital Divide
Precautionary Principle
Precrime
Transparency
More ...
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
 
Cite »

Technology Ethics

An overview of technology ethics.

Precautionary Principle

An overview of the precautionary principle.

Cultural Lag

When culture isn't ready for the future.

Technology Forces

A list of forces that shape technology in the long run.

Types Of Technology

A list of major types of technology.

Precrime

An overview of the term precrime as it relates to technology ethics.

Medicalization

The definition of medicalization with examples.

Dark Patterns

The definition of dark pattern with examples.

Technology Disadvantages

An overview of the potential disadvantages of technology with examples.

Types Of Artificial Intelligence

A few common types of artificial intelligence.

Technological Singularity

Technological singularity explained.

Affective Computing

Artificial intelligence and emotion.

Artificial Life

An overview of artificial life.

Machine Logic

How artificial intelligence can be illogical.

Deep Learning

A definition of deep learning with examples.

Supervised Learning vs Unsupervised Learning

The difference between supervised and unsupervised learning with an example.

Natural Language Processing

The common types of natural language processing.

Autonomous Systems

Common types of autonomous systems.

Artificial Intelligence Examples

Common examples of artificial intelligence.

Trending

The most popular articles on Simplicable in the past day.

New Articles

Recent posts or updates on Simplicable.
Site Map
Accountability
Business
Business Analysis
Business Continuity
Change Management
Competency Management
Compliance
Crisis Management
Economics
Goals
Governance
Information Technology
Knowledge Management
Management
Metrics
Objectives
Operations Management
Organizational Culture
Planning
Project Management
Quality Assurance
Risk
Risk Analysis
More ...
© 2010-2023 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.

View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.

Home About     Privacy Policy     Cookies Terms of Use     Contact Us Search


Cookies help us deliver our services. You have choices regarding these cookies. Please visit our privacy policy, cookie policy and consent tool to learn more.


Copyright 2002-2023 Simplicable. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or translated. Report violations here.