A group of US lawmakers have recently proposed a bill to prevent artificial intelligence (AI)-driven autonomous systems from taking the decision to launch nuclear weapons single-handedly. The Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous AI Act which was introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ken Buck (R-CO) is aimed at stopping such AI-driven systems despite the fear of potential threats it might impose.
As per a report by The Verge, the bill hopes to ‘prohibit the use of federal funds to launch a nuclear weapon using an autonomous weapons system that is not subject to meaningful human control’. The ‘National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence report’ also suggested banning autonomous nuclear weapons launch in order to prevent similar activity from the Government.
The bill stressed that the use of such nuclear weapons systems cannot adhere to international humanitarian law and moreover, should not be handled by AI. The bill furthermore noted that the US would maintain ‘a human in the loop’ for executing decisions by the US President to initiate and terminate nuclear weapon employment.
A nuclear war could potentially lead to the death of millions of people, catastrophic climate conditions, firestorms, radioactive fallout contamination, and massive agricultural failure. Senator Markey feels it is the responsibility of the US to also urge China and Russia to follow similar bans with regards to this matter.
The mentioned bill is undoubtedly a move towards ensuring safer surroundings and minimizing the risk of a possible disaster. Human control over such an instrument of immense power is of the utmost importance and something we should all consider.
