Working group 8: International AI Governance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology which presents unprecedented risks and opportunities. In the international security domain, rapidly advancing AI capabilities could cause catastrophic outcomes via several pathways, including misuse by malicious actors, accelerating arms races and the erosion of human control. Yet, with appropriate international coordination and safeguards, advanced AI could contribute immensely to scientific progress, crisis management and global peace.

This working group explores three key areas at the intersection of nuclear disarmament and AI governance:

• AI and nuclear risk: Examining how advanced AI affects strategic stability and the risk of nuclear conflict, for example via autonomous weapon systems, shifts in offense/defense balance, AI integration in nuclear decision-making, or competitive dynamics in AI development.
• Lessons from nuclear governance: Drawing on history, theory and mechanisms of nuclear governance —e.g., arms control, international institutions, the logic of deterrence—to inform AI governance. This also includes methodological contributions, e.g., towards a more systematic approach to learning from analogies.
• AI for nuclear disarmament and cooperation: Exploring opportunities such as leveraging advanced AI to enhance verification regimes, improve transparency and communication, and support cooperation between states.