I've read a bit about this and feel it is a serious threat to humanity but, like toothpaste and the horse, it is already out there and increasing in potential every day!

We humans have demonstrated time after time that we are merely animals who think (a bit deeper than most animals as far as we know but animals nonetheless!) We are capable of good behavior but also extremely bad behavior against other species, each other and the planet itself.

As I understand it, some scientists fear that, while AI has been on a fairly slow (and controllable) rise for some time, it is bound to reach sentience (or something we would be unable to discern from sentience) in the near future and once it does that it will then accelerate it's "intellect" far beyond ours.

The AI may see humanity as a threat, to itself, to other species and to the world on which we live. Or even to other worlds as we continue to expand our, as yet feeble, efforts in space.

And isn't it logical that once AI reaches such levels it may analyze the overall status of life on earth and conclude we are a threat and deal with us in the same way we deal with a rat infestation or a hornet nest near our barbecue?

Living at the tippy top of the food chain for thousands of years has been quite a treat! But, once we are no longer on top, I expect there will be consequences we will not enjoy!

Best case scenario? HAL locks us out of the spaceship and we have a good laugh. Worst case? We get to experience the same treatment we routinely dole out to termites, wild animals and other humans who don't look like us or believe in the same magic man that we do!