In their historic agreement on Saturday, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the value of human judgment above artificial intelligence in nuclear weapons decisions.
“The two leaders affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons,” the White House said in a statement. “The two leaders also stressed the need to consider carefully the potential risks and develop AI technology in the military field in a prudent and responsible manner.”
This development represents a major advancement in the two countries’ difficult-to-progress talks on artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons.
The US has been pressuring China to join in nuclear armament discussions for months, but negotiations halted after temporarily restarting in November, with the US voicing dissatisfaction with China’s reply.
The US Defense Department believes that China presently has roughly 500 operable nuclear weapons, with expectations that this number may approach 1,000 by 2030.
This fast expansion has sparked worries, especially considering China’s modernized nuclear program, which includes powerful ballistic missile submarines, hypersonic glide vehicles, and frequent nuclear-armed maritime patrols.
China’s nuclear arsenal is dwarfed by Russia’s (1,710 operating warheads) and the United States’ (1,770 operational warheads), but its progress has raised concerns about a future arms race. Despite this, China adheres to a policy of no first use and pushes for moderate nuclear deterrence.
The Biden administration revised its classified nuclear instructions earlier this year, citing worries about nuclear arsenals in China, North Korea, and Russia. While this agreement is a great move, it is uncertain if it will result in additional discussions or meaningful steps.
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Source: NDTV
