Can technology stop nations from descending into chaos?

In recent assessments, experts have raised alarms about the increasing risks posed by nuclear weapons among global superpowers. Ernest Moniz, a physicist and former U.S. energy secretary, has expressed concern that the likelihood of nuclear weapons use is at its highest since the Cold War's conclusion. He attributes this alarming trend to the lack of international cooperation on arms control and the expiration of key treaties that could have provided some measure of restraint on nuclear activities. Currently, tensions between the United States, Russia, and China escalate, with notable shifts in geopolitical alliances. The complexity of the current global situation resembles a ‘three-body problem,’ where the actions of one nation unpredictably impact the others. This is particularly relevant in light of new military technologies and the significant developments in artificial intelligence, which complicate traditional security policies. Despite ongoing attempts by leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to ensure that decisions regarding nuclear weapons remain human-controlled, the absence of substantial agreements raises concerns. Moniz has articulated that numerous technological threats are emerging concurrently, including advancements in nuclear weaponry, new biological threats, and the dangers presented by climate change, all requiring cooperative global responses that currently appear lacking. The neglect of safety protocols for nuclear arsenals and the potential for AI-driven decision-making without human oversight further exacerbate these risks. Many experts lament the implications of emerging artificial intelligence systems that might not mimic human intelligence and raise the potential for AI to drive global governance in unintended ways if it ever achieves artificial general intelligence. The interconnectedness of threats requires strategic approaches, yet the current lack of cooperation intensifies fears about pending crises. With critical treaties like the New START treaty set to expire soon, participants in the arms control discourse stress the urgency for renewed collaboration on nuclear policy to mitigate risks and enhance global security.