Xiangshan Forum: Many countries are worried about the risks of AI militarization and differences between China and the United States

This week at the Xiangshan Forum, China’s flagship defense event, representatives from many countries expressed concerns that uncontrolled artificial intelligence development and technological competition may further increase risks to the global security environment.

At the same time, China and the United States, the world's two major artificial intelligence powers, are preparing to hold a bilateral summit this month. However, the two sides still have differences on how to control the application of this technology in military systems, including in the field of nuclear weapons.

Experts attending the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing pointed out that artificial intelligence has extremely reduced the decision-making time of the government and military, and false information has seriously shaken public trust even before the official response.

Adul Boonthumjaroen, Thailand’s Minister of Defense, said: “Today’s world is at a critical turning point. Strategic competition among major powers has become increasingly obvious, and conflicts in many regions are still continuing.” He pointed out that as technologies such as artificial intelligence change the shape of war, “the most urgent thing is not who will become the most powerful, but how we can establish an international order.”

Wen Tan Yalun was one of the representatives participating in the three-day meeting. This year's Xiangshan Forum was held from September 15 to 17, attracting about 2,000 military officers, diplomats and scholars from 100 countries, including regional defense officials, North Korean representatives, a senior US Pentagon official, Russian scholars and Taliban representatives.

Weapon autonomy reduces decision-making time

While affirming some of the benefits of artificial intelligence, Jurg Lauber, Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, also emphasized: "As weapon systems become more and more autonomous, the need to retain human judgment and control when using force becomes more urgent." Lauber pointed out that the widespread use of low-cost drones is changing the nature of war, and elongating and blurring the front line in a wide space.

Pakistan Defense Secretary Muhammad Ali said technological advances were "compressing strategic timelines." He believes: "Artificial intelligence speeds up decision-making, and false and misinformation may destroy public trust before the government can effectively respond."

Representatives from Bangladesh, Malaysia and Laos also expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence.

Currently, China and the United States, as the two main promoters of the development of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and its global application, have expressed concerns about related risks, but they have different opinions on specific management and control methods. The two countries have long-standing differences in artificial intelligence policies and industry practices. Security experts from both countries have previously called for the establishment of safety guardrails and consensus building for the application of artificial intelligence in military systems, especially nuclear weapons.