{"id":4444,"date":"2026-05-01T09:03:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/nobel-prize-winning-physicist-warns-humanity-has-only-35-years-left\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T09:03:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:03:36","slug":"nobel-prize-winning-physicist-warns-humanity-has-only-35-years-left","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/nobel-prize-winning-physicist-warns-humanity-has-only-35-years-left\/","title":{"rendered":"Nobel prize-winning physicist warns humanity has only \u201835 years left\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-05-01 09:03:34<\/b>
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Humanity could face extinction within decades due to the threats of nuclear war and artificial intelligence, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist has warned.

\nDavid Gross, 85, who shared the 2004 Nobel honour in physics with Frank Wilczek and Hugh David Politzer for their work on asymptotic freedom, made the remarks in a recent interview while reflecting on the future of physics and global stability. The scientist \u2013 who has also been awarded the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics \u2013 was asked whether a \u201cunified theory\u201d of physics might be achieved within 50 years.

\nHis response focused instead on the likelihood humanity itself may not endure that long, citing nuclear proliferation, geopolitical instability and rapid advances in AI.

\nGross told LiveScience: \u201cCurrently, I spend part of my time trying to tell people\u2026 that the chances of you living 50 (more) years are very small. Due to the danger of nuclear war, you have about 35 years.\u201d

\nHe described the estimate as \u201ccrude\u201d, but suggested the probability of catastrophic conflict has worsened significantly since the end of the Cold War.

\nGross added: \u201cEven after the Cold War ended, (when) we had strategic arms control treaties, all of which have disappeared, there were estimates there was a 1 per cent chance of nuclear war (each year.)

\n\u201cThings have gotten so much worse in the last 30 years, as you can see every time you read the newspaper. I feel it’s not a rigorous estimate, that the chances are more likely two per cent. So that’s a one-in-50 chance every year.\u201d

\nHe continued: \u201cThe expected lifetime, in the case of two per cent (per year), is about 35 years.\u201d

\nGross pointed to a global landscape shaped by nine nuclear-armed states and what he described as three \u201csuper nuclear powers\u201d, arguing the collapse of arms control agreements has created a more volatile and unpredictable environment.

\nHe referenced ongoing conflicts and tensions, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as geopolitical strains involving the United States, Israel and Iran, alongside longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan.

\nGross also warned emerging technologies could intensify the risks.

\nHe said systems driven by artificial intelligence may increasingly be integrated into military decision-making processes, raising concerns about speed, reliability and control.

\nGross also warned in scenarios where leaders have limited time to respond to perceived threats, there could be pressure to delegate decisions to automated systems.

\nHe cautioned artificial intelligence can \u201challucinate\u201d and produce unreliable outputs, suggesting reliance on such systems in high-stakes environments could introduce new dangers rather than mitigate them.

\nHe also stressed the importance of renewed international dialogue and cooperation to reduce risks to humanity, raising the alarm the erosion of global norms and agreements has left the world more exposed to catastrophic outcomes.
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