The AI kills a huge number of people with a bioweapon to destablize the world and relatively advantage its position.
Massive world war/nuclear war. This could kill 100s of millions easily. 1 billion is probably a bit on the higher end of what you’d expect.
The AI has control of some nations, but thinks that some subset of humans over which it has control pose a net risk such that mass slaughter is a good option.
AIs would prefer to keep humans alive, but there are multiple misaligned AI factions racing and this causes extreme environmental damage.
Some more:
The AI kills a huge number of people with a bioweapon to destablize the world and relatively advantage its position.
Massive world war/nuclear war. This could kill 100s of millions easily. 1 billion is probably a bit on the higher end of what you’d expect.
The AI has control of some nations, but thinks that some subset of humans over which it has control pose a net risk such that mass slaughter is a good option.
AIs would prefer to keep humans alive, but there are multiple misaligned AI factions racing and this causes extreme environmental damage.