A State Department official is advocating for China and Russia to clarify that only humans, and not artificial intelligence, will make decisions regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons. Paul Dean, from the State Department’s Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, emphasized that the U.S. has a strong commitment to ensuring that nuclear employment decisions are made by human beings, not AI. He urged China and Russia to also make a similar commitment, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior in this area.
Secretary of State Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently discussed artificial intelligence risks and safety during a meeting in Beijing. Dean sees an opportunity for countries to establish rules for responsible and stabilizing behavior as they increasingly turn to artificial intelligence. The U.S. and 54 partners have endorsed a political declaration on responsible military AI use, emphasizing the importance of accountability, rigorous technical specifications, and safeguards to ensure responsible technology use.
A Pew report shows that over 40% of Americans view China as an enemy. Dean emphasized that AI technology has the potential to revolutionize militaries across various applications beyond the battlefield, including logistics, decision-making, and overall efficiency. While acknowledging the promise of AI technology in military operations, Dean also highlighted the importance of using it responsibly to avoid potential risks associated with its misuse.
Dean stressed that the issue of AI in military use goes beyond combat situations, affecting military operations in its entirety. He pointed out that these technologies have the potential to enhance various aspects of military operations, but also carry risks if not used responsibly. The U.S. has publicly committed to ensuring that decisions regarding nuclear employment will always be made by human beings, not AI, and is urging other countries, including China and Russia, to make similar commitments to responsible behavior.
The State Department official highlighted the significance of establishing norms of responsible behavior in the use of artificial intelligence in military contexts. He emphasized the need for all major military and economic powers, such as the United States and China, to address this issue and collaborate on setting guidelines for the responsible use of AI. Dean sees the conversation around AI in military applications as crucial for ensuring that technology is developed and utilized in a responsible manner to mitigate potential risks associated with its deployment in military operations.
