Biden and Xi to sign deal limiting use of AI in nuclear weapons systems
Hopes are high that the landmark agreement will be a step towards improving global superpower relations
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign a deal to limit the use of AI in nuclear weapon control systems on Wednesday, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The leaders will meet at the highly anticipated Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and will pledge in this landmark deal to reduce the use of AI in autonomous weaponry. This includes drones and other types of unmanned vehicle alongside the systems used for the control and deployment of nuclear warheads.
In addition to being an attempt to reduce the scope for catastrophic battlefield escalation, the deal also represents an attempt to find common ground to reduce the increasing tension between the two superpowers.
Tensions increased after the US blocked communication with the Chinese military after a spy balloon was shot down off the US coast in February. Communications were already in the deep freeze because of then US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022. This summit is evidence that diplomatic channels have remained open, and a top US military officer has expressed hopes that military channels will reopen to "ensure that there is no miscalculation."
The US and China have taken opposing stances in the Ukraine Russia war, with Xi refusing to condemn the invasion and providing economic and diplomatic assistance to Vladimir Putin, and President Biden standing with NATO and providing Ukraine with huge packages of military aid. China has also condemned Israel's military actions in Palestine, while the White House has publicly supported Israel in its fight against Hamas, whilst also urging restraint.
However, the meeting on Wednesday is expected to be the first public step in cooling tensions as both countries endorse responsible use of AI in the military.
Last month, President Biden introduced a set of regulations to try to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI
At a separate summit in Bletchley Park earlier this month, both nations agreed to collaborate in managing the threat posed by the technology. They were also signatories of an agreement made in The Hague in February vouching for responsible use of AI in the military.
Last week, the Secretary of State Antony Blinken was questioned about the possibility of the two superpowers understanding about keeping AI in nuclear weapons.
While speaking with a reporter from the Insider, he said:
"I can't get into the specific issues that they would discuss in any such meeting.
"I can say, as a general principle for us, that when it comes to artificial intelligence, we believe that artificial intelligence should not be in the loop or making the decisions about how and when a nuclear weapon is used."