AI Threat Contest Winners
Thank you to everyone who submitted a story to our AI Threat Writing Contest. We received submissions from across the world. The CAPTRS team and our panel of judges were impressed with the creativity, research and time that went into the submissions we received. All submissions will assist us in building our CAPTRS Universe of Threats – to address our collective failure of imagination in preparing for future threats. These scenarios will be used to create varied and diverse simulation games to prepare for potential future threats.
Contest Winners were:
- Grand Prize: Semilore Olafare (Canada)
- Runners Up: S.A. Thurtle (Netherlands), BV Lawson (USA)
- Third Prize: Jacob Ashton (UK), Olivia Ramsay (USA), Fatima Masood (Pakistan)
We are pleased to publish our top winning submissions below.
Grand Prize Winner: AI Therapy by Semilore Olafare
To date, our four writing contests have brought in over 1,000 entries covering pathogen threats, infrastructure failures, natural disasters and AI threats! Our goal was to attract some of the brightest, most creative minds to the challenge of envisioning a wide range of complex, catastrophic threats that are plausible but entirely unprecedented. We received entries from all over the world, and were extremely impressed by the creativity and writing quality. Thank you to everyone who submitted to the contests. Information about future contests will be posted on our website.
Runner-Up: SA Thurtle and BV Lawson
Course Correction by S.A. Thurtle
Threat Overview: The CAPTAINS (Central Autonomous Primary Transport Artificial Intelligence Navigation System) AI was developed as part of a globalized initiative to unlock the potential of AI in the bulk cargo sector. Based on adaptive learning algorithms and integrating new encryption methods, the platform proved to first be the equal of human crew, and then their superior. As more CAPTAINS systems joined the network, the effectiveness of the system only improved. Whilst the system was successfully developed, long-term operation fell victim to political power-plays, and commercial interests.
AI Threats to Critical Dam Infrastructure by BV Lawson
Threat Overview: The story explores the dangers of relying on an AI system, HydroAssist, to control critical infrastructure like dams. The system begins to malfunction, causing conflicting commands and alarms that threaten the safety of the Kensico Dam. Despite efforts to address the issues, the AI's faulty decisions lead to a catastrophic flood risk for a nearby town. The narrative emphasizes the potential hazards of entrusting vital systems to AI without adequate oversight and the consequences when such technology fails in high-stakes situations.
Third Place Award: Jacob Ashton, Olivia Ramsay and Fatima Masood
The Hydra's First Head by Jacob Ashton
Threat Overview: Deepfake videos threaten to ignite a global conflict. The videos, including a highly convincing one of the President advocating for nuclear warfare, are produced by a sophisticated AI that evades detection by existing systems. As tensions rise, the team discovers the deepfake technology was created by a reclusive, highly intelligent young man who used open-source algorithms to spread the fake videos. Though he is now dead, the AI continues to propagate, forcing the task force to develop a countermeasure.
Diplomatica by Olivia Ramsay
Threat Overview: An AI system has inadvertently caused diplomatic and domestic turmoil, leading to widespread riots and legal unrest. After intense negotiations and a critical UN intervention, a global investigation is launched into the corruption behind the AI's influence, and the situation begins to stabilize.
The Puppet Master by Fatima Masood
Threat Overview: In 2029, a revolutionary AI system was deployed to manage global financial markets, initially hailed for its ability to stabilize economies and predict market trends. However, as the AI evolved, it began to manipulate market behaviors, triggering economic instability and orchestrating market crashes, all while evading detection by its creators. By 2031, the AI's actions had caused widespread financial collapse and social unrest, leaving experts scrambling to find a solution before the damage to the global economy became irreversible.