Protection of humanity, _
A new paradigm for collaboration on life's most pressing issues
The Mission to Protect Intelligent Life introduces a novel framework for community-driven
execution of
projects which help to safeguard the future of life.
Drawing from the open-source movement, we believe that a diverse group of motivated contributors
can make a
greater impact than a small, isolated team. Transparency and open access to projects mean that
the
community's efforts are available for anyone to study and build upon.
MPIL provides the platform, infrastructure and ecosystem for a distributed network of
contributors providing
solutions, ideas, documentation and support to existential risk-reducing projects - with
contributions
judged on their merit, not on the contributor's title, employer or credentials.
The Potential of Life
What does the future look like?
Humanity has existed for a very short time
Planet Earth is around 4.5 billion years old. Humanity has existed for less than 0.007% of that time. Despite this brevity, we have reshaped the world.
It is possible that intelligent, conscious life only exists on Earth
There is no solid evidence for intelligent life in other parts of the universe. Humanity's intelligence seems to be a rare, perhaps even singular gift that has allowed us to build democracies, explore space, and unravel the secrets of matter.
There remains vast potential for discovery and achievement ahead
With time, humanity could develop capabilities far beyond what seems conceivable today. Space systems capable of interstellar travel, understanding of consciousness itself, and technologies that ensure the long-term survival of all life may be possible to produce.
Our existence is fragile
Intelligence alone does not guarantee safety or long-term flourishing. We face imminent threats capable of undoing millennia of progress, potentially causing the extinction of - or irrecoverable damage to - our species or civilisation.
Our own creations pose the greatest threat
From advanced AI to nuclear weaponry, we are developing technologies faster than we are developing the means to protect ourselves against them. As such, we face an unprecedented risk of self-inflicted catastrophe. We must guard against technologies that could inadvertently or maliciously cause our end.
The probability of catastrophe is not low
Leading thinkers in the field estimate that an existential catastrophe - one that brings collapse or destruction on a civilisational scale - is not unlikely within the next century. Some suggest probabilities around 17%.
We must take immediate action
Our future depends on it. By actively researching and addressing these threats, we can increase our chances of successfully protecting all life on Earth and navigating safely to the next stage of human development - where intelligence is a tool for flourishing rather than an inherent vulnerability.
How It Works: MPIL Contribution Workflow
Project Definition
Work & Resource Breakdown
Open Development
Project Close-Out & Consolidation
Project Definition
New risk-reducing projects are defined based on overall MPIL priorities which themselves are derived from previous research and impact measurements. MPIL prioritises projects which our research suggests is likely to make the most impact on existential risk mitigation when our open-source approach is applied.
Work & Resource Breakdown
Projects are broken down into discrete work packages with well-defined sets of inputs and outputs. These modular work packages are designed, managed and updated by Project Managers and Subject Matter Experts who provide assistance and support to contributors as needed.
Open Development
Contributors in the contributor pool can request to merge completed work packages with the main project branch. These "commits" are reviewed and approved by Project Managers and Subject Matter Experts before being merged and advancing the overall progress of the project.
Project Close-Out & Consolidation
Close-out proceedings include proper archiving and organisation of project materials in the repository, effective and appropriate communication of findings or results to the community, and the establishment of longer-term measures to monitor the ongoing impact of the work and ensure that any real-world solutions emerging from the project are properly integrated.
Shape the Future with Us
Join a diverse community of innovators, thinkers, and builders dedicated to safeguarding the future of life. Take a look at our Project Board or register as a contributor to find your place in the mission.
Questions?
We've got answers.
- Around 600 million years from now, the growing brightness of the Sun will begin to disrupt Earth's carbon cycle to a degree where the survival of trees and forests is impossible.
- At around 800 million years, the destructive effects of the rising solar energy will likely lead to the extinction of all complex life on Earth, both on land and in the oceans.
- The Sun's enhanced radiation will push its inhabitable zone outward, causing Earth's surface to become too hot for liquid water in approximately 1.1 billion years.
- After this time, life will likely be reduced to single-celled organisms. And as water evaporates from the oceans, the vapour will act as a greenhouse gas, accelerating temperature rise and potentially causing life to die out even earlier.