This is a translation of the original article in Portuguese. Read the original (Português).
China, the United States and Russia are negotiating a possible commitment on the use of artificial intelligence in nuclear weapons, according to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post. The information was reproduced by the Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias and by the Macanese newspaper Ponto Final. The governments of the three countries have not yet officially confirmed the negotiations.
According to the report, the talks involve the presidents of the three powers and are aimed at the summit of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, in southern China.
Among the proposals under discussion, according to Ponto Final, are a guarantee that decisions about nuclear weapons remain in human hands rather than automated systems, and a joint statement against nuclear war. Russia is described as the most cautious party in the talks.
The use of artificial intelligence in military systems is growing. Programs of this kind can analyze radar and satellite data in seconds and suggest responses to a threat. In the case of nuclear arsenals, the fear is that a false alarm, interpreted by a machine, could lead to a decision to attack without time for human verification. For this reason, the principle of keeping a person in command of the final decision is seen as a minimal safeguard.
An understanding among the three largest military powers would be rare in the current scenario. Washington and Beijing are competing for control of chip technology, which is essential to artificial intelligence itself, while the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran keep the United States and Russia on opposite sides.
The issue concerns the entire planet, including Brazil, which has no nuclear weapons but would be affected by any conflict of this kind. The terms of a possible commitment, if it is concluded, still have to be detailed by the governments involved.
Reporting from South China Morning Post (Hong Kong (citado pelas demais fontes)), Jornal de Notícias (p. 25), Ponto Final (p. 16).
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