Threat of AI 'catastrophe any day now' - as tech giants pledge to act

What the report says

A scientist quoted by Sky News World has warned that artificial intelligence could "any day now create a catastrophe" and argued that it needs more urgent attention than climate change. The warning comes as major technology companies are said to be pledging to act on AI safety, highlighting renewed concern about how quickly the technology is advancing and whether safeguards are keeping pace.

Sky News World’s report centers on the broader debate over the risks posed by powerful AI systems, especially the possibility of severe, fast-moving harms if they are deployed without adequate oversight. The article does not provide full details of the scientist’s identity or the specific measures being discussed by the companies in the snippet available, but it frames the issue as one of immediate policy and industry concern rather than a distant hypothetical.

More generally, AI safety has become a major topic for governments, researchers and firms since the rapid rise of generative AI tools. Advocates for tighter controls often point to potential threats such as misuse, errors at scale or systems behaving in unexpected ways, while industry leaders have increasingly signaled support for voluntary commitments and regulation. The Sky News World piece places this latest warning within that wider push for stronger action.