China and Russia forge military AI alliance

China and Russia have decided to work together on the military implementation of AI, a move perceived as part of their strategic alignment against the USA. Representatives from both countries convened in Beijing to share evaluations regarding the use of AI in military scenarios.

The discussions encompassed doctrinal principles, initiatives, and collaboration within the UN Group of Governmental Experts focused on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). The meeting affirmed the strong harmony in the Russian and Chinese approaches to this matter, stressing the necessity for extended cooperation on both a bilateral and multilateral level. Notably, China’s official statement did not address military AI but concentrated on consultations on outer space security, biosecurity, and AI.

Why does this matter?

The collaboration between China and Russia on military AI holds significant implications for global geopolitics and the evolving landscape of technological competition. As major global powers, such as the US, China, and Russia, heavily invest in military AI, there remains a lack of universally agreed-upon regulations. Despite the US introducing the Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy, China and Russia have refrained from endorsing it. These developments underscore the shifting dynamics of geopolitical competition and apprehensions about the potential adverse outcomes of autonomous weapons systems.