Biden, Xi agree humans should control nuclear weapons, not AI: White House

While the Chinese overseas ministry did not instantly remark connected the matter, the announcement signifies a uncommon infinitesimal of statement betwixt the 2 nations connected topics wherever advancement has often been challenging—nuclear arms and artificial intelligence.

The grade to which this statement volition pb to further discussions oregon factual measures remains unclear. However, Washington has been urging Beijing to prosecute successful atomic arms talks for months, with constricted progress. Although official-level discussions concisely resumed successful November, they person since stalled, prompting vexation from US officials implicit China’s deficiency of responsiveness.

Formal negotiations connected atomic arms power are not anticipated successful the adjacent future. This is contempt increasing US concerns implicit China’s accelerated atomic expansion, which includes an estimated 500 operational atomic warheads—a fig projected to transcend 1,000 by 2030, according to the US Department of Defense. By comparison, the US and Russia support astir 1,770 and 1,710 operational warheads, respectively.

China’s atomic arsenal is reportedly undergoing important modernisation, with advancements specified arsenic next-generation ballistic rocket submarines, hypersonic glide conveyance warheads, and regular oversea patrols equipped with atomic arms. These developments lend to China’s “nuclear triad”—the quality to present atomic weapons by land, air, and sea—a hallmark of large atomic powers.

Despite these advancements, Beijing maintains a argumentation of “no archetypal use” and claims its atomic deterrence strategy remains minimal and defensive. Chinese officials person besides criticised Western estimates of their arsenal arsenic “exaggerations” during caller informal exchanges with US experts and retired officials.

Efforts to code the subject usage of AI person been much recent. In May, China and the US held their archetypal ceremonial bilateral talks connected AI successful Geneva, though atomic weapons decision-making was not reportedly discussed.

The Biden administration, meanwhile, has updated its classified atomic guidance this year. A White House spokesperson stated that the update was “not a effect to immoderate azygous entity, country, nor threat,” contempt persistent concerns implicit the atomic arsenals of China, Russia, and North Korea.

(With inputs from Reuters)