In a stark warning to the global community, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has declared that the risk of a nuclear conflict is at its highest since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Speaking at the annual Arms Control Association meeting in Washington, Guterres highlighted the convergence of technological advances and escalating geopolitical tensions as critical factors driving the world closer to a potential nuclear catastrophe.
“Humanity is on a knife’s edge,” Guterres stated in a recorded speech presented at the meeting. “The risk of a nuclear weapon being used has reached heights not seen since the Cold War.” His remarks underscore the grave concerns over a “qualitative arms race,” where countries are leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance their military capabilities and readiness for conflict.
Guterres pointed out that technological innovations are exacerbating the dangers associated with nuclear weapons. The integration of AI into military strategies and weapons systems is particularly alarming, as it could lead to scenarios where decisions on the use of nuclear weapons are made by machines or algorithms, rather than human judgment. Such developments, he warned, are “multiplying the danger” of a nuclear confrontation.
This technological dimension adds a new layer of complexity to the already volatile global security environment. The last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia, the New START treaty, is set to expire in 2026. Without a successor in place, the world could enter a new........