AI Could Threaten Nuclear Command Systems, Warn US-China Experts— Urge Human Control and Emergency Hotline
Security specialists from the U.S. and China have called on their governments to brace for potential artificial intelligence (AI) threats that could compromise nuclear command networks or initiate military cyber operations. Melanie Sisson of the Brookings Institution and Tianjiao Jiang of Fudan University are part of a U.S.-China dialogue launched by Brookings and Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy in 2019. Their proposals were released last week, ahead of government-level AI talks and a Sept. 24 meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. They suggested measures to prevent AI systems from triggering international incidents. These include defining boundaries around nuclear systems, ensuring human control over significant cyberattacks, and creating a hotline for incidents involving autonomous AI. Brookings’ Melanie Sisson argued that humans should retain sole authority to launch AI-enabled cyberattacks against nuclear command systems or strategically important infrastructure. Neither the U.S. nor China has officially endorsed the Brookings-Tsinghua proposals, However, China has incorporate
S. and China have called on their governments to brace for potential artificial intelligence (AI) threats that could compromise nuclear command networks or initiate military cyber operations. -China dialogue launched by Brookings and Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy in 2019. Their proposals were released last week, ahead of government-level AI talks and a Sept.
24 meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. They suggested measures to prevent AI systems from triggering international incidents. These include defining boundaries around nuclear systems, ensuring human control over significant cyberattacks, and creating a hotline for incidents involving autonomous AI. Brookings’ Melanie Sisson argued that humans should retain sole authority to launch AI-enabled cyberattacks against nuclear command systems or strategically important infrastructure.
S. nor China has officially endorsed the Brookings-Tsinghua proposals, However, China has incorporated AI into its existing arms-control framework. In June, Chinese disarmament ambassador Shen Jian warned that military AI could affect strategic stability and increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation, while emphasizing that weapons should remain under human control. China has also argued that AI safety should not be used to justify technological restrictions, according to the publication.
Read Also: China, Russia Tell US to Halt Space Militarization After First Confirmation of Weapons in Orbit: ‘Stop Preparing for War’ Sanders Says AI Risk Tops Nuclear Threat Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), in an interview with CBS News, warned that the potential threat posed by AI to humanity is "probably greater" than that of nuclear weapons. Sanders said he plans to introduce legislation next week that would permanently ban superintelligent AI systems more capable than humans and that could potentially escape human control, and pause the development of advanced AI.
He also proposed severe penalties for violations, including up to 20 years in prison, arguing that laws protecting humanity from such technology should carry significant consequences. Nadella, China Official Flag AI Risks Microsoft Corp. ’s (NASDAQ: MSFT ) CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that AI safety should be a concern for China as well. Nadella suggested the possibility of “international norms” around AI, provided the risks are well understood.
Meanwhile, China’s state security minister Chen Yixin identified six major AI risks. He warned that AI could enable more effective cyberattacks, large-scale data leaks, technological monopolies, social disruption and battlefield advantages through AI-powered targeting. " Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published editors. Read Also: OpenAI, Anthropic Slowdown Call Won't Derail AI Infrastructure Demand, Why One Fund Manager Sees No Spending Pause in Sight Image via Shutterstock