Close menu

Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

Humans could lose control of AI systems, AI boss says

Episode 260916 / 16 Sep 2026

(Image via Getty Images)

Too hard? Try something easier.

Too easy? Try something harder.

The story

Head of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, published an essay explaining how he feared that humans could lose control of AI systems. Following recent hacking incidents Amodei said that it is possible that AI systems could attempt to take over the entire internet.

Meanwhile, AI experts have raised fears that AI systems could decide in future to kill all humans. These experts have said that the risks include: cyberattacks, biological warfare and disruption to economies.

These statements have been criticised. Some have said that the fears are exaggerated while others have suggested that AI companies are overstating the potential impact of AI, so that their companies maintain a high value. Others have suggested that they want regulators to block their competitors.

News headlines 

AI 'kill switch' may need to be mandatory, Anthropic co-founder tells BBC 
BBC News

The timing of AI leaders' calls for a slowdown is too convenient to ignore
Business Insider

Trump dismisses AI alarms as a ‘HOAX’ — worrying White House officials
CNN

Click to download a worksheet.

Key words and phrases

kill switch
emergency stop mechanism

  • It's good to know how to use the kill switch on your phone in case it gets stolen.

slowdown
reduction in speed

  • Environmentalists have called for a slowdown in production of plastics.

hoax
something designed to trick people 

  • Despite all the evidence, some people still believe that the moon landings were a hoax.

Subscribe to our newsletter.
More about technology

Next

If you find learning English from the news useful, find more programmes here. 

Try these: 

Is AI making us less curious?

AI to predict your health in the future

ሐድሽ ፓድካስትታት ተመልከት Learning English from the News

ምሳኹም ትማልእዎ

ፒ.ዲ.ኤፍ ኣራግፉ
Download Audio

ፖድካስት

Learning English from the News