Scientists issue stark warning over AI nuke systems as WW3 fears intensify

An independent global research institute has raised the alarm about the possible role of artificial intelligence in nuclear weapons systems, as fears of a new global war intensify.

With Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine showing no signs of slowing down, tensions in the Middle East reaching boiling point and Donald Trump flip flopping on the possibility of intervening in the Iran-Israel conflict like it's a run-of-the-mill business deal, it's understandable why people are weary about the prospect of World War III breaking out before the year ends.

However, a Swedish research institute focusing on global armed conflicts has now warned about another factor which could bring about a global catastrophe – AI influenced nuclear weapons systems.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) issued the sobering warning earlier this week, revealing that countries around the world are enlarging and upgrading their weapons systems.

A research institute has issued a grim warning about the possibility of a new nuclear arms race (Getty Stock Image)

"We see the warning signs of a new nuclear arms race at a particularly dangerous and unstable moment for geopolitics," Dan Smith, the director of SIPRI, wrote in the update.

The research noted that the deployment of new nuclear warheads is projected to overtake the dismantlement of older warheads, as nations such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea invest in modernising their programmes.

According to the report, the planet is now home to 12,241 nuclear warheads, the overwhelming majority of which belong to the US and Russia.

"The era of reductions in the number of nuclear weapons in the world, which had lasted since the end of the cold war, is coming to an end,’ said Hans M. Kristensen, Associate Senior Fellow with SIPRI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, added.

However the role that AI will play in these modernisation programmes is causing further concern.

Getting nuked by an angry dictator would be sad, but getting accidentally nuked by AI would be embarrassing (Getty Stock Image)

What role could Artificial Intelligence play in nuclear weapons?

In the event of a suspected nuclear attack, leaders and military officials will have just minutes to consider their response.

Adding AI to the mix could help decision-makers respond quicker, however, it also increases the risk of a nation starting a nuclear conflict because of a 'miscommunication, misunderstanding or technical accident'.

"One component of the coming arms race will be the attempt to gain and maintain a competitive edge in artificial intelligence (AI), both for offensive and defensive purposes," Smith notes in the report.

Smith notes that implementing AI into our security systems will have some 'benefits' but warns that a 'careless adoption of AI could significantly increase nuclear risk.'

"If the decision to launch nuclear weapons is ever fully handed over to AI, we'd be approaching true doomsday scenarios," he added.