Researchers at Cambridge University's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) have created a mod for Civilization V that shows the risks of unchecked research into artificial intelligence. The 'Superintelligence' mod can bring about a golden age of scientific discovery, or the AI can destroy all of humanity. Yes, it's Civ Skynet, basically.
Rise and Fall, the first Expansion Pack for Civilization VI, will be out February 8
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You can pick up the Superintelligence mod here or easily add it via Steam Workshop for Civilization V. It requires the Brave New World DLC to play, and only really affects the Modern Era so it's best to start there. Players can research "machine learning", construct AI research labs, and attempt to be the first to develop artificial superintelligence. However, if you don't invest in enough safety a superintelligent AI (let's call it 'Skynet' for short) will take over the world and destroy humanity.
The CSER’s Dr. Shahar Avin says about the mod and its creation:
"We want to let players experience the complex tensions and difficult decisions that the path to superintelligent AI would generate. Games are an excellent way to deliver a complex message to a wide audience. The Civilization games series has an amazing track record of presenting very complex and interlocking systems in a fun and educating way, including major risk issues such as nuclear war and global warming."
CSER is an interdisciplinary research centre within the University of Cambridge dedicated to the study and mitigation of risks that could lead to human extinction or civilizational collapse, or "The James Cameron Effect" (we made that up). You can check out their website here. Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking are both advisors to CSER.
For further information on what to do in the event a hostile AI takes over the planet and attempts to wipe out humanity, please view the instructional video below.
