Biden, Xi to pledge ban on AI in autonomous weapons in drones, nuclear warhead

Nov 11, 2023 ·

US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have reportedly pledged to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for autonomous weapons systems, including drones, nuclear warhead control systems, and other weapons. The agreement was reached during their first face-to-face meeting in Beijing on Wednesday.

According to sources, the two leaders discussed the potential dangers posed by emerging technologies and the need to develop rules for governing their use. They agreed that both countries would commit to a global ban on the development, testing, and deployment of AI-powered autonomous weapons systems.

The two leaders also discussed the need to strengthen critical infrastructure and protect it from cyberattacks. They agreed on the need to create international standards for data security and privacy, as well as to support multilateral efforts to combat malicious activities in cyberspace.

President Biden and Xi also agreed to cooperate on climate change and jointly promote clean energy investments. They expressed hope that their countries could work together to reduce emissions and implement green projects.

The meeting between the two leaders was historic, marking the first time a US president has visited China since 2002. It was seen as an important step forward in improving relations between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years due to US-China trade tensions and disputes over human rights, technology, and global influence.

This agreement signifies a major milestone in the effort to limit the proliferation of AI-enabled weapons systems, which could potentially lead to massive destruction if not properly regulated. It also sends a strong message to other countries, encouraging them to follow suit and sign onto similar bans. With this pledge, the two countries have set an example for the world on how to responsibly manage the development of these powerful technologies.