China urges international rules governing military AI

The world needs international rules governing the use of military artificial intelligence to prevent a new arms race and a global catastrophe, Li Sun, China’s ambassador for arms control at the United Nations, said, according to SCMP.

According to him, the application of artificial intelligence technology could alter the future of war and potentially trigger humanitarian crises. He urged major powers to exercise restraint in developing such systems, and to strengthen oversight of military AI to reduce the risks of its spread.

“China opposes the use of artificial intelligence technologies to achieve absolute military superiority and to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries,” Li Sun said.

The document presented by the diplomat states that tighter regulation of the use of AI for military purposes would help build trust among nations, support global strategic stability, prevent arms races and mitigate humanitarian problems.

China called on countries to observe international law and ethics when developing weapons or waging war with the use of artificial intelligence to reduce civilian casualties and avoid indiscriminate destruction, misuse, or abuse.

He added that safety assessment and oversight of the technologies must be improved to ensure human control over AI systems.

The document also proposes a multilateral mechanism to promote exchange of experience, as well as to assist developing countries in gaining access to AI technologies, ensuring the first global standard for AI ethics.

“Approaches that draw ideological boundaries between countries and generalize the concept of national security should be avoided,” the report says.

Despite the statement, China has previously shown a strong interest in new military technologies, including artificial intelligence. The People’s Liberation Army has already financed several such projects.

According to the Pentagon’s report “Military and Security Developments Involving the PRC in 2021”, potential Chinese military applications could include artificial intelligence and advanced robotics, which would be used for expanded data use, decision support, production, unmanned systems and C4ISR.

In December, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged action against killer robots.

In November, UNESCO adopted the first global standard for AI ethics.

In September, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged a ban on certain kinds of artificial intelligence.

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