Nuclear Stability in the Age of AI

In their 2024 article “Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Stability,” Paul Scharre and Michael Depp discussed the dual opportunities and risks of integrating AI into nuclear command and control.
Two years after the article, AI remains a concern among many for the Department of Defense, currently taking a backseat to other AI applications like planning, intelligence analysis, and business functions.
The Pentagon has begun to use AI in military operations, particularly in intelligence analysis and planning, as seen in actions related to Iran.
Modest global progress has been made regarding nuclear-armed states agreeing on human control over nuclear weapons, with China’s 2024 public agreement aligning with the U.S. stance on human control.
There remains significant work to be done globally to ensure continued human control over nuclear weapons, despite the increasing integration of AI in military and nuclear systems.