US official calls on China and Russia to ensure that only humans, not AI, have control over nuclear weapons

In a push for responsible nuclear weapons deployment, a senior US official called on China and Russia to join the United States in declaring that only humans, not artificial intelligence, should make decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons. State Department arms control official Paul Dean emphasized the importance of ensuring human control over such critical decisions during an online briefing.

Dean highlighted that the US, along with France and Britain, had already made commitments to this principle and urged China and Russia to follow suit. He stressed the significance of this norm of responsible behavior, especially among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The call for human control over nuclear weapons comes as the Biden administration seeks to engage China in discussions on both nuclear weapons policy and the development of artificial intelligence. The recent talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing touched on the importance of managing risks and safety surrounding AI technology.

While US and Chinese officials have resumed discussions on nuclear weapons, formal arms control negotiations are not expected in the near future. China, which is expanding its nuclear capabilities, has previously proposed that the major nuclear powers negotiate a no-first-use treaty. As the global conversation on nuclear weapons and AI continues to evolve, the need for clear guidelines on responsible decision-making remains paramount.