Synthesized answer
The book "Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies" by Nick Bostrom discusses extreme levels of machine intelligence, termed superintelligence [1]. This superintelligence would have the capacity to influence the future [1].
The survival and fate of humanity would then be contingent upon the objectives of this superintelligence [1]. The passages describe what superintelligence is and its potential impact, but they do not provide a detailed explanation of its key concepts in my own words.
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Title: Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom Description: This profoundly ambitious and original book picks its way carefully through a vast tract of forbiddingly difficult intellectual terrain. Categories: Computers Pages: 353 Snippet: Extreme levels of machine intelligence - superintelligence - would potentially be in a position to shape the future. What happens to humanity, whether humanity would even survive, would then depend on the goals of the superintelligence.