AI extinction warnings spark anxiety and calls for regulation in UK

Recent headlines warning that AI advancement could lead to human extinction have heightened anxiety among some individuals, prompting feelings of powerlessness and a desire to escape technology. Mental health campaigner James Downs from Cardiff said the news makes him want to flee to an island without technology. The warnings stem from a top safety researcher at Anthropic, who claimed a greater than 10% chance AI "could kill all humans" within a decade, a statement computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton called "not unreasonable." Downs, who has a history of anxiety and depression, said these fears compound existing worries about climate change, cost of living, and global conflict, while psychotherapist Lucy Theo reports clients raising AI concerns in therapy. Public reactions at Barry Island ranged from scepticism to fear, with parents worrying about their children's future and calls for faster regulation. The Royal College of Psychiatrists acknowledged AI's rapid development could "understandably cause anxiety," while experts suggest managing news consumption, curating social media feeds, and talking to others to maintain perspective.