Feb 2026: If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies by Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares
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If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies
The scramble to create superhuman AI has put us on the path to extinction—but it’s not too late to change course, as two of the field’s earliest researchers explain in this clarion call for humanity.
In 2023, hundreds of AI luminaries signed an open letter warning that AI poses a serious risk of human extinction. Since then, the AI race has only intensified. Companies and countries are rushing to build machines that will be smarter than any person. And the world is devastatingly unprepared for what would come next.
For decades, the authors have studied how smarter-than-human intelligences will think, behave, and pursue their objectives. Their research says that sufficiently smart AIs will develop goals of their own that put them in conflict with us—and that if it comes to conflict, an artificial superintelligence would crush us. The contest wouldn’t even be close.
In this urgent book, Yudkowsky and Soares walk through the theory and the evidence of how and why machine superintelligence could wipe out our entire species. They present one possible extinction scenario, and explain what it would take for humanity to survive.
The world is racing to build something truly new under the sun. And if anyone builds it, everyone dies.
“The best no-nonsense, simple explanation of the AI risk problem I've ever read.”—Yishan Wong, Former CEO of Reddit
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General Attendance Policy:
- We encourage you to have read the book (or most of it), but if you didn't get a chance to, don't let that stop you from attending. Some members find it beneficial to read the book after discussing it. 3 no-shows and you will be removed from the group. You have 48 hours prior to the event to withdraw.
- It is your responsibility to purchase/borrow the month's book. If you are struggling to locate a copy, please let us know and we will endeavour to locate a copy.
- Please respect everyone's opinions and ideas and use common courtesy when participating.
- Members take turns hosting the book affairs. The host for the month is responsible for leading the discussion but anyone in the group can ask questions.
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