Long-term risks from ideological fanaticism
A new report warns AI could lock humanity into eternal ideological conflict.
A new report warns that ideological fanaticism—characterized by extreme certainty and tribalism—poses a major long-term risk in the age of superintelligent AI. The analysis notes that while less influential today, fanaticism historically drove eight of the ten greatest atrocities. Survey data shows 11-25% of people across six countries endorse creating eternal hell for perceived 'evil' people. The concern is that advanced AI could be used by fanatics to actually implement such catastrophic value systems and entrench their rule permanently.
Why It Matters
This frames AI alignment not just as a technical problem, but as a race against dangerous human ideologies seeking to control the future.