People, Not AI, Should Decide on Nuclear Weapons: Summit in Seoul
A global summit on the role of AI in the military sector stated in a non-binding declaration on Tuesday that humans, not artificial intelligence, should make the critical decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons. The agreement was adopted by nearly 100 countries, including the USA and Ukraine, but was not signed by China.
Key Insights
- Humans should retain control over the use of nuclear weapons.
- The agreement is non-binding and was not signed by China.
- AI applications in the military sector must be ethical and human-centred.
- Russia was not invited to the summit due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Summit in Seoul: An Overview
The summit “Responsible AI in the Military Domain” (REAIM) in Seoul, attended by nearly 100 countries, adopted the “Blueprint for Action” after two days of discussions. This agreement emphasises the need to maintain human control and involvement in all actions related to the use of nuclear weapons.
Ethical and Legal Frameworks
The declaration emphasises that AI capabilities in the military sector must be applied in accordance with applicable national and international law. It calls for AI applications to be ethical and human-centred.
China's Position and International Reactions
China did not sign the declaration, and the Chinese embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia was not invited to the summit due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Future Challenges and Discussions
The declaration acknowledges that states have a long way to go to keep pace with the development of AI in the military sector. It emphasises that further discussions are necessary to develop clear guidelines and procedures.
Background and Hosts
The summit in Seoul was co-hosted by the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Kenya, following the first event held in The Hague in February last year. The summit describes itself as the “most comprehensive and inclusive platform for AI in the military sector”.