The word “robot” was first widely used in the play RUR or Rossum’s Universal Robots [in Czech] by Karel Capek (but some give credit to Karel’s brother Josef for coining the word). The play you may remember is about a robot rebellion — a justified one at that.
The Guardian asks scientists and other experts to evaluate 10 end-of-the-world scenarios as to their likelihood of occuring in the next 70 years. Robot Rebellion was right up on top with a HIGH likelihood and a HIGH impact.
Here’s a very brief summary:
1: Climate Change.
Chance of temperatures rising more than 2C (the level considered to be dangerous by the European Union) in the next 70 years: High
Danger score: 6
2: Telomere erosion.
Chances of a human population crash due to telomere erosion during the next 70 years: Low
Danger score: 8
3.Viral Pandemic
Chance of a viral pandemic in the next 70 years: Very high
Danger score: 3
4. Terroristic Attack.
Chances of a major terrorist attack in the next 70 years: Very high
Danger score: 2
5. Nuclear War
Chance of a global nuclear war in the next 70 years: Low
Danger score: 8
6. Metor or Asteriod Impact
Chance of the Earth being hit by a large asteroid in the next 70 years: Medium
Danger score: 5
7. Robot Rebellion
Chance of super-intelligent robots in the next 70 years: High
Danger score: 8
8. Cosmic ray blast from exploding star
Chance of encountering a supernova in the next 70 years: Low
Danger score: 4
9. Super-volcanos
Chance of a super-volcano in the next 70 years: Very high
Danger score: 7
10. Earth swallowed by a black hole
Chance of Earth being gobbled up by a black hole in the next 70 years: Exceedingly low
Danger score: 10
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