How many countries have nuclear weapons and how many are there? How destructive are today’s nuclear weapons? What about “nuclear deterrence” theory? Do nuclear weapons help keep the peace? What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? What is nuclear sharing and who is involved? Can a NATO state join the TPNW? What about the Middle East? Why does this treaty matter if none of the countries with nuclear weapons have joined? Did Ukraine give up nuclear weapons? Why should one country give up its nuclear weapons if other countries still have them? Why should countries that don’t have nuclear weapons care about this treaty? What is the “Eurobomb” and why are European politicians talking about it? What are "tactical" nuclear weapons? What are 'dirty bombs'? What are space nuclear weapons? Who makes the decisions around the nuclear weapons stationed abroad? What are the risks of nuclear sharing? Is nuclear sharing legal? Will the US and UK resume nuclear sharing at Lakenheath air base? What is the nuclear test ban treaty and why has Russia revoked its ratification? What is the New START Agreement and why has Russia suspended its implementation? What are gravity bombs and why is the US building the new B61-13 nuclear weapon? What does AI mean for the risk of nuclear war? What about attacks on nuclear facilities? How is the ban treaty verifiable? Has India deployed any nuclear warheads on missiles or bombs?

What does AI mean for the risk of nuclear war?

Answer

The risks resulting from the rapid advances in cyber operations and artificial intelligence (AI) are still being discovered,  but when it comes to nuclear weapons, these technologies add another layer to an already unacceptable level of risk of nuclear weapons use.  For AI specifically,  the increased application of advanced machine learning in defense systems can speed up warfare – giving decision-makers even less time to consider whether or not to launch nuclear weapons - something already measured in minutes. The risks of unintended consequences from the application of new artificial intelligence technologies without understanding the full implications of these technologies. 

The use of AI in satellite and other intelligence detection systems will also make it more difficult to keep historically concealed nuclear weapons, such as ballistic missile submarines, hidden. Alternatively, the ability to spoof these systems is unknown and can have terrifying consequences.

These risks are also compounded by the other risks posed by the rise of emerging technologies and cyber warfare. Learn more about the risks of AI and nuclear weapons, and what can be done about it here.