US Urges China and Russia to Prevent AI from Controlling Nuclear Weapons

Paul Dean, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control Verification and Implementation at the State Department, Briefing
Mentioned France and the UK Also Made the Same Commitment

On the 2nd (local time), the U.S. Department of State urged China and Russia to join an international commitment to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from controlling nuclear weapons.

On the 26th of last month in Beijing, China, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met and took a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Paul Dean, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control Verification and Implementation at the State Department, stated in an online briefing that "the United States has made a clear and strong commitment that humans will have full control over nuclear weapons."

He added, "France and the United Kingdom have made the same commitment," emphasizing, "We would welcome similar statements from China and Russia."

Referring to the United Nations' five permanent members (Permanent 5, P5) ? the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France ? he explained, "We believe this is a very important norm for responsible behavior, and it is very welcome in the context of the P5."

Dean's remarks came as the U.S. administration seeks to deepen separate discussions with China regarding nuclear weapons policy and AI development. On May 26, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, in China to discuss the proliferation of AI technology. Secretary Blinken said both sides agreed to hold the first bilateral talks on AI within the coming weeks and to share views on managing AI risks.