Brett Wilkins is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
In the name of 'protecting future generations from potentially devastating consequences,' a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation meant to prevent artificial intelligence from launching nuclear weapons without meaningful human control.
The Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Act—introduced by Sen. Ed Markey and Reps. Ted Lieu , Don Beyer , and Ken Buck —asserts that 'any decision to launch a nuclear weapon should not be made' by AI.The proposed legislation acknowledges that the Pentagon's 2022 Nuclear Posture Review states that current U.S. policy is to 'maintain a human 'in the loop' for all actions critical to informing and executing decisions by the president to initiate and terminate nuclear weapon employment.' The bill would codify that policy so that no federal funds could be used 'to launch a nuclear weapon select or engage targets for the purposes of launching' nukes. 'As we live in an increasingly digital age, we need to ensure that humans hold the power alone to command, control, and launch nuclear weapons—not robots,' Markey asserted in a statement. 'We need to keep humans in the loop on making life-or-death decisions to use deadly force, especially for our most dangerous weapons.'Buck argued that 'while U.S. military use of AI can be appropriate for enhancing national security purposes, use of AI for deploying nuclear weapons without a human chain of command and control is reckless, dangerous, and should be prohibited.'According to the 2023 AI Index Report—an annual assessment published earlier this month by the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence—36% of surveyed AI experts worry about the possibility that automated systems 'could cause nuclear-level catastrophe.' 'Use of AI for deploying nuclear weapons without a human chain of command and control is reckless, dangerous, and should be prohibited.'The report followed a February assessment by the Arms Control Association, an advocacy group, that AI and other emerging technologies including lethal autonomous weapons systems and hypersonic missiles pose a potentially existential threat that underscores the need for measures to slow the pace of weaponization.'While we all try to grapple with the pace at which AI is accelerating, the future of AI and its role in society remains unclear,' Lieu said in a statement introducing the new bill.'It is our job as members of Congress to have responsible foresight when it comes to protecting future generations from potentially devastating consequences,' he continued. 'That's why I'm pleased to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous AI Act, which will ensure that no matter what happens in the future, a human being has control over the employment of a nuclear weapon—not a robot.''AI can never be a substitute for human judgment when it comes to launching nuclear weapons,' Lieu added. While dozens of countries support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, none of the world's nine nuclear powers, including the United States, have signed on, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reawakened fears of nuclear conflict that were largely dormant since the Cold War.
Arms Control Association Don Beyer Ed Markey Ken Buck Nuclear Posture Review Nuclear Weapons Ted Lieu U.S. Congress U.S. Military Artificial Intelligence
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stablecoin bill, originally bipartisan, hits snag as Dems splinterSen. Bill Hagerty is spearheading legislation to regulate stablecoin, a cryptocurrency linked to fiat currencies like the dollar, but he has hit a snag.
Read more »
Fetterman, Meng, Lawler introduce bipartisan bill to return stolen SNAP benefitsThree politicians from the northeast United States have introduced an act to protect families relying on SNAP benefits if their funds are stolen.
Read more »
Bipartisan bill would make it easier for military recruits with medical issues to land defense jobsA group of lawmakers will introduce a bill to help Americans with physical issues disqualifying them from military service to find civilian jobs in the defense industry.
Read more »
Bipartisan bill would help Ohioans pay off their medical debt, but not eliminate itState Reps. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, and Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, are introducing the Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act.
Read more »
Breaking: Major Stablecoin Bill Achieves Bipartisan BreakthroughStablecoin legislation is nearing a full Senate vote following a bipartisan deal
Read more »
Bipartisan Ohio bill seeks to ease the pain of medical debt: Capitol LetterHouse Bill 257 would keep medical debt from tanking people’s credit or garnishing their paychecks.
Read more »