Existential risks and emerging risks

​What could go catastrophically wrong in the 21st century?

​We explore risk form misaligned AI, engineered pathogens, great powers conflict and other existential threats. In this session we aim to understand why some researchers see these as unusually high‑stakes and neglected.

​We connect philosophical longtermism (Session 3) to concrete policy and research questions.

Suggested Readings (30–45 min total max)

​Read one primary + skim others:

• ​AI risk (power‑seeking systems) — 80,000 Hours

• ​Engineered pandemics — 80,000 Hours

• ​Great powers conflicts — 80,000 Hours

​Optional

• ​Catastrophic climate change — 80,000 Hours

• ​Nuclear weapons — 80,000 Hours

​Post‑Session Extra Depth

• ​The precipice — Toby Ord