In a landmark development, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed on Saturday that decisions involving the use of nuclear weapons should remain exclusively under human control, according to a statement released by the White House.
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The historic declaration emphasizes a shared commitment to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from assuming such critical and potentially catastrophic decision-making roles.
“The two leaders affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons,” the White House noted. Both leaders also recognized the necessity of addressing the potential risks associated with the military applications of AI and underscored the importance of developing the technology responsibly and prudently.
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This agreement marks a significant milestone, being the first formal acknowledgment of this principle by both nations. The timing of the statement highlights growing global concerns about the ethical and safety implications of incorporating AI into critical military decisions, especially as advancements in the field accelerate.
Earlier this year, in May, Paul Dean, a senior official at the U.S. State Department, underscored the imperative that decisions on nuclear weapon deployment must remain in human hands. “We would never defer a decision on nuclear employment to AI,” Dean stated in an online briefing. He further emphasized the United States’ “clear and strong commitment” to this principle and called on other major powers, including China and Russia, to follow suit.
This agreement marks a significant milestone, being the first formal acknowledgment of this principle by both nations. The timing of the statement highlights growing global concerns about the ethical and safety implications of incorporating AI into critical military decisions, especially as advancements in the field accelerate.
Dean also highlighted commitments from U.K. and French officials to maintain human control over nuclear arms. He framed the collective stance as a vital “norm of responsible behavior,” particularly for the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). While expressing optimism for broader consensus, Dean noted the urgency of building international norms around AI regulation to preempt potential misuse.
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The broader context of this dialogue reflects intensifying global concerns over the rapid advancement of AI technologies. The proliferation of AI systems has prompted leading figures in technology, academia, and civil society to issue stark warnings about the existential risks they pose to humanity. Many fear that a lack of regulation could lead to scenarios where autonomous systems execute decisions without human oversight, a particularly grave concern when nuclear weapons are involved.
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Despite significant discussions on AI ethics and governance, military applications of AI have remained conspicuously absent from many regulatory frameworks. Recent international talks, including those in Vienna, have drawn attention to the “Oppenheimer Moment” AI may be approaching—referencing the existential responsibility associated with the development of the atomic bomb. As autonomous weapons become more sophisticated, traditional arms control mechanisms are increasingly inadequate for addressing their unique challenges.
The decision by Biden and Xi to affirm human control over nuclear decisions comes at a time of heightened global nuclear tensions. In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin has made repeated threats involving its nuclear arsenal, signaling a potential willingness to escalate through first-strike use. These threats represent a stark escalation in rhetoric and have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community.
China, meanwhile, has been steadily expanding its nuclear capabilities. Despite these developments, Beijing continues to advocate for a “no-first-strike” policy and encourages other nuclear-armed states to adopt a similar posture. The strategic balance of nuclear deterrence has been further complicated by the increasing intersection of AI and advanced military technologies.
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The Biden administration’s agreement with Xi may pave the way for further international collaboration on managing the risks associated with AI in military contexts. In related developments, the U.S. accused Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention last week by using chloropicrin—a chemical irritant deployed during World War I—against Ukrainian forces. The State Department’s statement alleged that Moscow’s actions were part of a broader pattern of using riot control agents as a method of warfare, constituting a violation of international norms. Russia has dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
While the Biden-Xi agreement focuses on nuclear weaponry, it also serves as a broader reminder of the importance of upholding international norms governing the use of advanced military technologies. The intersection of AI with nuclear arsenals amplifies the stakes, given that nine nations currently possess nuclear weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICANW).
The combined nuclear stockpiles of these states amount to approximately 12,700 warheads, with Russia and the U.S. holding the majority—around 5,900 and 5,200 respectively. Other nuclear-armed nations include the U.K., France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. The outsized influence of Russia and the U.S. in global nuclear diplomacy underscores the critical role these two nations play in setting and adhering to responsible norms.
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In this context, the Biden-Xi commitment signals an essential step toward fostering dialogue on AI and nuclear issues. However, the road ahead remains complex. To solidify these principles into actionable frameworks, the international community must address not only the technological challenges but also the geopolitical rivalries that often hinder consensus.
For now, the agreement represents a rare instance of alignment between two of the world’s most influential powers. As the race to regulate AI intensifies, the stakes extend far beyond technology, touching on fundamental questions about security, ethics, and the future of humanity.