History Undermines AI‑extinction Panic

Technological panics recur: 19th‑century fears about trains and telegraphs mirror 21st‑century fears about AI. Pointing to historical episodes shows that alarmist framings (including extinction scenarios) often reflect cultural anxieties and media dynamics rather than reliable evidence of imminent catastrophe. — If policymakers and publics treat AI exclusively as an existential threat, they will skew regulation and investment toward fear‑driven responses rather than targeted risk management and innovation oversight.