The House Armed Services Committee recently held a hearing on the Department of Defense’s use of artificial intelligence (AI), sparking discussions about its implications. In a significant move, President Biden is set to strike a deal with China that would limit the use of AI in nuclear weapons. The agreement is expected to be signed during Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.
According to a report from Business Insider, the deal between Biden and Xi will focus on restricting AI’s use in military applications, particularly in the systems that control and deploy nuclear weapons, as well as autonomous weapon systems like drones. This agreement comes at a time when tensions between the two countries remain high, with issues such as China’s spying activities in the U.S. and its military buildup in the South China Sea causing continued friction.
The use of AI in combat has raised ethical concerns, and many experts have warned about the potential dangers of unrestricted AI use. Phil Siegel, the founder of the Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS), emphasized the necessity of such an agreement, suggesting that other major powers like Russia should also be involved. He stated that limiting AI-driven autonomous weapons on the battlefield to reconnaissance purposes only is crucial to prevent further escalation of conflicts.
However, not everyone agrees with the deal. Christopher Alexander, the chief analytics officer of Pioneer Development Group, criticized the decision, arguing that the U.S. would be giving up its strategic advantage over China. He also highlighted the role of AI in improving decision-making and reducing stress, which can be crucial in preventing hasty actions like the release of nuclear weapons.
Both China and the U.S. have been actively integrating AI into their military operations, recognizing its potential benefits in combat. However, they have also acknowledged the need for responsible use of AI, as demonstrated by their previous agreement endorsing its use in the military.
Samuel Mangold-Lenett, a staff editor at The Federalist, expressed skepticism about China’s commitment to honoring such an agreement, citing the country’s track record of disregarding international agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement. He argued that China’s ambitions to challenge the U.S. as a global power may outweigh its willingness to adhere to restrictions on AI use.
The details of the agreement and its potential implications are yet to be fully known. The White House has not provided any comments on the matter at the time of writing.
