100 nations agree: Humans, not AI, should control nuclear weapons
Nearly 100 nations, including the US, and Ukraine, have reached a consensus that decisions related to the use of nuclear weapons should remain under human control instead of AI. This agreement was made at the two-day 'Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM)' summit held in Seoul. The participating nations signed a non-binding declaration called the "Blueprint for Action," emphasizing human involvement in decisions concerning nuclear weapons deployment.
Agreement highlights need for human control
The "Blueprint for Action" agreement states that AI applications in the military must be in compliance with all applicable national and international laws. The document further emphasizes that these applications should be ethical and centered on human needs, highlighting a commitment to the responsible use of technology in military operations.
Summit calls for further discussions on AI policies
The REAIM summit recognized the need for ongoing discussions to develop clear policies and procedures, regarding AI use in the military. However, the declaration did not specify any sanctions or consequences for violations of these principles. This indicates an ongoing dialogue among nations about how to best regulate and manage AI technologies in warfare, without compromising ethical standards or international law.
AI's role in military operations and potential risks
AI is already being utilized in military operations for tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and analysis. There are concerns about its potential to autonomously choose targets in the future. An example of this is Israel's use of an AI-based tool called "Lavender" in its conflict with Hamas. This system reportedly identifies suspected operatives as potential bombing targets by analyzing data, collected through mass surveillance on most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
China did not sign the agreement
The summit in Seoul, co-hosted by the UK, Kenya, the Netherlands, and Singapore, follows the inaugural event held in The Hague in February 2023. Notably, the declaration at this year's summit, despite not being legally binding, was not signed by China. Meanwhile, Russia, an ally of China was not invited to it because of its invasion of Ukraine.
