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Opinion: China’s AI-enabled weapons upend the global arms race and threaten U.S. power

Global cooperation is needed to ensure that humans stay in control of military decision-making

China’s DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

AFP via Getty Images

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a focal point in the global arms race. Now that AI is being integrated into military applications, concerns have been raised about China’s growing AI-powered arsenal.

China has heavily invested in AI research and development, with the ultimate goal of becoming a global leader in the field. Beijing has aggressively pursued AI-enabled weaponry including the Blowfish A2 autonomous drone, which can perform targeted strikes with limited human intervention, and autonomous underwater vehicles...