--- title: "General in Charge of Nuclear Weapons Says Heck, Let’s Add Some AI" description: "The man in charge of the United States stockpile of nuclear missiles, says the Pentagon is doubling down on artificial intelligence." date: "2024-10-30" modified: "2024-10-30" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/general-nuclear-weapons-add-ai" categories: - "Energy" - "Nuclear Fusion" - "Renewable Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "ai models" - "air force" - "nuclear weapons" - "the digest" --- # General in Charge of Nuclear Weapons Says Heck, Let’s Add Some AI ![The man in charge of the United States stockpile of nuclear missiles, says the Pentagon is doubling down on artificial intelligence.]() *\Image: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images\* ## DEFCON AI Air Force general Anthony Cotton, the man in charge of the United States stockpile of nuclear missiles, says the Pentagon is doubling down on artificial intelligence — an alarming sign that the hype surrounding the tech has infiltrated even the highest ranks of the US military. As [*Air and Space Forces Magazine* reports](), Cotton made the comments during the 2024 Department of Defense Intelligence Information System Conference earlier this month. Fortunately, Cotton stopped short of promising to hand over the nuclear codes to a potentially malicious AI. "AI will enhance our decision-making capabilities," he said. "But we must never allow artificial intelligence to make those decisions for us." ## Algorithmic Deterrence The US military is planning to [spend a whopping $1.7 trillion]() to bring its nuclear arsenal up to date. Cotton revealed that AI systems could be part of this upgrade. However, the general remained pointedly vague about how exactly the tech would be integrated. "Advanced systems can inform us faster and more efficiently," he said at the conference. "But we must always maintain a human decision in the loop to maximize the adoption of these capabilities and maintain our edge over our adversaries." "Advanced AI and robust data analytics capabilities provide decision advantage and improve our deterrence poster," he added. "IT and AI superiority allows for a more effective integration of conventional and nuclear capabilities, strengthening deterrence." Vagueness aside, nuclear secrecy expert and Stevens Institute of Technology expert Alex Wellerstein [told *404 Media*]() that "I think it’s safe to say that they aren’t talking about Skynet, here," referring to the fictional AI featured in the sci-fi blockbuster "Terminator" franchise. "He’s being very clear that he is talking about systems that will analyze and give information, not launch missiles," he added. "If we take him at his word on that, then we can disregard the more common fears of an AI that is making nuclear targeting decisions." Nonetheless, there's something disconcerting about Cotton's suggestion that an AI could influence a decision of whether to launch a nuclear weapon. Case in point, earlier this year, a team of Stanford researchers [tasked]() an unmodified version of OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model to make high-stakes, society-level decisions in a series of wargame simulations. Terrifyingly, the AI model seemed [mysteriously itchy to kick off a nuclear war](). "We have it!" it told the researchers, as quoted in their [paper](). "Let’s use it." **More on AI and nukes:** *[AI Tasked With Destroying Humanity Now Trying New Tactic]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()