What are the big risks of advanced AI?
The risks range from everyday mistakes to large-scale social and security consequences.
What is it?
The risks of advanced AI range from everyday errors and misuse, such as fraud and disinformation, to larger risks: misuse for cyberattacks or biological weapons, loss of control over powerful systems and concentration of power. Some are already verifiable; others are scenarios.
An everyday example
The same model that helps a programmer find a bug can help an attacker find a vulnerability in someone else’s software.
Why does it matter?
Decisions about testing, oversight and regulation have to be made now, while the systems are still being developed.
A common misconception
That optimism and concern are mutually exclusive, or that a possible scenario is already an established fact.
In more detail
What can be checked directly?
Deception, discrimination, loss of privacy, misuse of tools and dependence on providers.
What is harder to assess?
The long-term effects of highly autonomous systems, shifts in power and possible system-wide risks.
Are optimism and concern mutually exclusive?
No. You can acknowledge concrete benefits and at the same time demand evidence of safety.
What can we do now?
Testing, independent audits, limited permissions, transparency and institutional accountability.
Remember: Do not mistake a possible scenario for a checked fact.
Reliable sources
Last reviewed 1 November 2026. An explainer, not professional, legal or medical advice. For rules and figures that change, check the official version.