AI race poses greater international risk than nuclear race, experts warn

The ongoing technological rivalry between the United States and China represents a new era of competition akin to the Cold War, primarily focusing on advancements in artificial intelligence. As these two superpowers strive to achieve superiority in AI capabilities, experts fear that such a race could lead to severe international instability, potentially more precarious than the historical nuclear standoff. In their research, Corin Katzke and Gideon Futerman examined these dynamics through the lens of game theory, arguing that the growing competition could lead to great power conflicts, loss of control over AI systems, and threats to liberal democracies worldwide. The concept of 'Mutually Assured Malfunction' (MAIM) emerges from this discussion, positing that aggressive attempts by any single nation to dominate AI technologies will likely provoke retaliatory measures from rival states. This could manifest as covert cyberattacks affecting AI training processes or even physical assaults on data centers, highlighting the vulnerabilities inherent in maintaining unilateral AI projects aimed at strategic dominance. Significant advancements in AI would not offer guaranteed superiority; Schmidt's analysis indicates that a hasty race for leadership could disrupt the security of all nations involved due to potential miscalculations. During the Cold War, caution was advised due to the risk linked with human errors and nuclear weapons. This new narrative postulates that similar prudence is necessary in the realm of artificial intelligence. The article emphasizes that effective management of international AI endeavors would require the establishment of comprehensive international frameworks and oversight systems to mitigate catastrophic miscalculations and to maintain a balance of power amid rapid technological developments. Schmidt's MAIM doctrine urges policymakers to adopt transparency regarding their data centers and strategically position their infrastructure to avoid civilian areas as preventative measures. Looking forward, a significant international accord may be essential to prevent global disorder as nations navigate the complexities of AI development. As experts project that the first major breakthroughs in intelligent and general AI systems will occur around 2028, addressing the threats inherent in this major technology race will be vital. With careful consideration of MAIM principles, policymakers can potentially leverage them to frame future agreements and ensure stability in a period marked by unprecedented technological advancement.