Can US and China overcome mutual mistrust to agree rules on military use of artificial intelligence?
- The topic was not discussed when the two countries’ defence chiefs met despite increasing concerns about the risk the technology poses
The United States and China will struggle to work together on regulating the military use of artificial intelligence because of a lack of trust and their race for supremacy in the field, analysts have warned.
Military AI was not among the topics discussed during the first face-to-face meeting between China’s defence minister Dong Jun and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore this month.
Some observers said there may have been more “pressing” issues to discuss, such as Taiwan and the South China Sea, but there is growing international concern regarding the risks of military AI, which both countries are trying to integrate with their armed forces.
“The US is applying artificial intelligence to weapons systems as quickly and extensively as possible. This brings more risks to the world,” a senior officer with the People’s Liberation Army said during the security conference in Singapore, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“And what are the consequences if the US uses artificial intelligence in nuclear weapon systems? This should attract the attention of the world.”
The PLA officer also outlined Beijing’s efforts to manage the risks posed by the technology through the United Nations, as well as through Beijing’s own proposals in the Global AI Governance Initiative launched last year.
