Statement on Superintelligence (2025)

A statement calling for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence has gathered 74,630 signatures, including 5,000 from a petition by Ekō, according to the Future of Life Institute. The statement demands that any ban not be lifted until there is broad scientific consensus that superintelligence can be developed safely and controllably, plus strong public buy-in. The signatories cite concerns including human economic obsolescence, losses of freedom and civil liberties, national security risks, and potential human extinction.

74,630 signatures Including 5,000 from the same petition by Ekō https://action.eko.org/a/sign-the-statement-on-superintelligence Statement on Superintelligence Context : Innovative AI tools may bring unprecedented health and prosperity. However, alongside tools, many leading AI companies have the stated goal of building superintelligence in the coming decade that can significantly outperform all humans on essentially all cognitive tasks. This has raised concerns, ranging from human economic obsolescence and disempowerment, losses of freedom, civil liberties, dignity, and control, to national security risks and even potential human extinction https://safe.ai/work/statement-on-ai-risk . The succinct statement below aims to create common knowledge of the growing number of experts and public figures who oppose a rush to superintelligence. For corrections, technical support, or press enquiries, please contact letters@futureoflife.org mailto:letters@futureoflife.org Statement We call for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence, not lifted before there is 1. broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably, and 2. strong public buy-in.