"Machines or Algorithms Should Not Be Entrusted with Core Responsibilities"
United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres warned that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is amplifying the threat of nuclear war. He urged nuclear-armed countries to take action to prevent nuclear proliferation and use, saying humanity's survival is "standing on the edge of a knife."
On the 6th (local time), the British newspaper The Guardian reported that Secretary-General Guterres made these remarks in a recorded message at the annual meeting of the Arms Control Association (ACA) held in Washington, D.C., USA.
Guterres warned in the video message, "The risk of nuclear weapons being used is at its highest since the Cold War," adding, "As the threat to survival increases, humanity is standing on the edge of a knife."
He continued, "Countries are engaged in qualitative arms races, and technologies like AI are further increasing these threats," adding, "All countries must agree that the use of nuclear weapons should not be entrusted to machines or algorithms but decided by humans."
Guterres said, "It is the responsibility of nuclear-armed states to lead the way back to arms reduction," and emphasized, "We must resume dialogue and ensure that no nuclear weapons are used."
He especially stressed that nuclear-armed countries must take the lead in preventing nuclear proliferation. He said, "The regime to prevent the use, testing, and proliferation of nuclear weapons is weakening," and urged nuclear-armed states to take their obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation regime seriously. He also called for mutual agreements not to engage in nuclear first strikes.
He appealed to the United States and Russia to return to the negotiating table before the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Enacted in 2011, New START limits the number of nuclear warheads deployed by the U.S. and Russia on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers to 1,550 each. Originally set to expire in 2021 after a 10-year term, it was extended once and is now set to end in 2026.
With less than 600 days remaining before the treaty's expiration, Russia declared its suspension of participation in New START following its invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
According to The Guardian, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France agreed two years ago that humans should maintain full control over nuclear weapons and pledged to prevent AI from controlling them. However, Russia and China have yet to join this commitment.
At last year's ACA meeting, Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated that the U.S. would engage in unconditional talks to establish a treaty to replace New START, but Russia rejected even this offer.
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