US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a landmark deal on Saturday underscoring the importance of human decision-making over artificial intelligence when it comes to nuclear weapons.
“The two leaders affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons,” a White House statement said. “The two leaders also emphasized the need to carefully weigh the potential risks and develop AI technology in the military field in a prudent and responsible manner.”
This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in discussions between the two countries on nuclear weapons and artificial intelligence, areas where progress has been a challenge.
The US has been pressing China for months to discuss nuclear weapons, but negotiations stalled after briefly resuming in November, with the US expressing frustration over China’s responsiveness.
The US Department of Defense estimates that China currently possesses approximately 500 operational nuclear warheads, and projections suggest that number will exceed 1,000 by 2030.
This rapid build-up has raised concerns, especially given China’s modernized nuclear program, which includes advanced ballistic missile submarines, hypersonic hover vehicles and regular nuclear-armed naval patrols.
China’s nuclear arsenal pales in comparison to that of Russia (1,710 operational warheads) and the US (1,770 operational warheads), but its progress has raised concerns about a possible arms race. Despite this, China maintains a ‘no first use’ policy and advocates a minimum nuclear deterrent.
The Biden administration updated its classified nuclear guidelines earlier this year, citing concerns about nuclear arsenals in China, North Korea and Russia. Although this agreement is a positive step, it remains unclear whether it will lead to further discussions or concrete actions.