USA and China: AI should not be allowed to decide on the use of nuclear bombs

Human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons must be retained. It must not be handed over to artificial intelligence (AI) systems. US President Joe Biden and Chinese head of state Xi Jinping surprisingly agreed on this maxim at a meeting lasting just under two hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (Apec) summit in Lima, Peru, on Saturday. Following the meeting, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke of an important agreement on "the interface between artificial intelligence and nuclear doctrine". It was the first time that the USA and China had made such a declaration.

The agreement is seen as a breakthrough in the Biden administration's efforts to improve nuclear security and limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Beijing had long opposed the agreement and canceled a meeting of a working group on nuclear arms control in July in protest against a US arms sale to Taiwan. The Chinese delegation reiterated its desire for more dialog and cooperation with the USA and the need to avoid a "new Cold War". At the same time, Biden was looking for ways to safeguard relations between the US and China in the event of an emergency before his successor Donald Trump takes over the White House in January.

No immediate danger

Sullivan made it clear to the press: "I'm not saying that anyone is going to hand over control of nuclear weapons to artificial intelligence any time soon". He sees no "immediate danger" here at least. But there is "a long-term strategic risk that two major nuclear powers and two countries with significant AI capabilities will not be able to basically reach an agreement in these areas". Sullivan spoke of a step in the right direction to address this challenge.

However, both states are skeptical about a general ban on "killer robots". Xi repeatedly raised objections to US export controls on site, particularly when it comes to advanced semiconductors and related manufacturing equipment. Sullivan defended the restrictions by referring to the security of the USA and "our allies".

(nie)