Could AI really end humanity? Guardian invites questions
Recent weeks have seen alarming claims that superintelligent AI could destroy the planet. Industry voices have added to the alarm, with Anthropic reporting that criminals, state‑sponsored groups, spyware vendors, scientists and propagandists have tried to use its models to design missiles and bombs, create deadly pathogens and surveil dissidents. Elon Musk has also said AI could be “more…
Key points
- Anthropic says its models have been targeted for weapon and pathogen design
- Elon Musk claims AI could be “more dangerous than nukes”
- Guardian tech reporters will answer questions at 3pm BST (4pm CEST, 10am EDT)
The Guardian’s tech team – reporter Aisha Down, editor Dan Milmo and US tech editor Blake Montgomery – will field questions from the public on the issue. They will be live at 3pm BST (4pm CEST, 10am EDT) and invite readers to post their concerns in the comments.
Could AI really end humanity? Post your questions for our tech reporters now
The Guardian AI · 18 September 2026
Welcome to the conversation
The last week or so has seen disturbing claims about the capacity of superintelligent AI to destroy the planet. It has also seen warnings coming from figures within the industry itself, including Anthropic’s report that criminals, state-sponsored groups, spyware vendors, scientists and propagandists have attempted to use its models to “design missiles and bombs, create deadly pathogens and surveil dissidents” and Elon Musk’s claim it could be “more dangerous than nukes”.
Our reporting team has been trying to make sense of the scale of these claims. Is the great AI freakout justified? They will be here from 3pm BST (4pm CEST, 10am EDT) to try and answer any questions you might have.
Aisha Down is the Guardian’s global technology reporter, Dan Milmo is our global technology editor and Blake Montgomery is tech editor for Guardian US and author of the TechScape newsletter (sign up to that here).
What worries you most about AI? Do you think the coverage is fair? Are the benefits being overshadowed by scare stories? Post your questions in the comments below.
This text was published by The Guardian AI and written by Guardian moderators (now); Aisha Down, Blake Montgomery and Dan Milmo (later). It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
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