The UK Government has reassured the public of its commitment to human political control over the country’s nuclear weapons, following growing concerns about the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in nuclear command, control, and communication systems. This comes after questions raised in Parliament regarding the integration of AI technologies in strategic military systems.
In response to a question from Lord West of Spithead, Lord Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, reiterated that while AI research is ongoing to assess its potential in sensitive applications, the Prime Minister remains the sole authority for authorizing the use of the UK’s nuclear arsenal.
As Lord Coaker clarified, “The UK’s nuclear weapons are operationally independent, and only the Prime Minister can authorise their use.” However, he emphasized that the government has a longstanding policy of not disclosing specific details about nuclear command and control procedures.
Lord West had asked the government to explain the extent of AI integration into nuclear systems and whether there were any efforts to assess and mitigate the associated risks. While the Ministry of Defence did not reveal specific projects, Lord Coaker confirmed that research is underway to better understand and manage the risks AI could pose in sensitive military applications.
“Research to identify, understand, and mitigate against risks of AI in sensitive applications is underway,” said Lord Coaker. “We will ensure that, regardless of any use of AI in our strategic systems, human political control of our nuclear weapons is maintained at all times.”
The government has made it clear that, while AI-enhanced decision support tools are being explored, human oversight remains paramount in nuclear decision-making. The UK’s stance assures that AI will never replace human authority in the final decision-making process regarding nuclear weapons.
This assurance highlights the UK’s commitment to maintaining secure and reliable control over its nuclear capabilities, while remaining cautious in integrating new technologies such as AI into critical national security functions.
Nuclear Launch Picture from FMT CC BY 4.0
