Earlier this month researchers at the Global Challenges Foundation released a thorough and unsettlinglook at what threatens human civilization. They define a civilization collapse as a drastic decrease in human population size and political/economic/social complexity, globally and for an extended time.

The bad news is this is a long list. Ive broken down what the researchers see as the doomsday scenariofor each risk, and the odds that it will happen in the next 100 years. On the bright side, the odds are generally very low, but therisks should still be takenseriously.

1. Artificial intelligence

Why its bad: Machines with an extreme amount of technology could be difficult to control. They may hoard resources to boost their own intelligence, leaving little or nothing for humankind. That would be very bad for us.

Odds of wiping out civilization: 0-10 percent

2. Unknown consequences

What to be afraid of:Thats unclear. Lots of things could go wrong that we arent even considering. Remember the Fermi paradox alien life likely exists but weve had no known contact. Perhaps intelligent life always destroys itself or something else does before it can explorethe galaxy. This leaves usto guess at the causes that may have destroyed any other intelligent life.

Evaluating the risk: 0.1 percent

3. Synthetic biology

The issue: A pathogen could be engineered to target humans or a critical part of the ecosystem. If synthetic biology products became a part of our economy, that adds a vulnerability, as they could become an entry point for biowarfare or bioterrorism.

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Innovations: The 12 threats to human civilization, ranked