The US Strategic Forces prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to authorize operations with nuclear weapons, Air Force General Anthony Cotton, Commander of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), announced on August 13.

The commander of STRATCOM, based in Omaha, Nebraska, also suggested that US nuclear forces could be increased to maintain deterrence against the growing nuclear threat.

General Cotton's comments came at the 15th annual STRATCOM Deterrence Symposium, which attracted 800 guests from 15 US allied nations.

In a press conference with reporters following the conference, General Cotton said AI and machine learning can provide human decision makers with valuable tools to analyze large amounts of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data.

General Cotton believes that this “massive” amount of data can be managed by AI and then better used by military and civilian leaders to make decisions.

However, he also said STRATCOM has no plans to let AI make decisions regarding conventional weapons, let alone nuclear weapons, without human input.

Proponents say AI could be used to process sensor data on a large scale to track mobile missiles on land and submarines at sea, especially when combined with other technologies like quantum sensors.

Critics say relying on AI systems to make nuclear command and control decisions could destabilize the concept of deterrence by allowing the targeting of systems once considered safe from attack.

In short, General Cotton said that AI will likely be used to some extent, but that humans will always have the final say. And the White House is reportedly preparing a policy memo that would limit the use of AI.

Regarding the need to expand the US nuclear force, the four-star general said that current land-based missile systems, bombers and missile-carrying submarines are effective, safe and reliable but are increasingly aging.

General Cotton said all three elements of the nuclear triad need to be modernized. The strategy is not expected to change, but the size of the force could be increased to ensure deterrence.

STRATCOM is analyzing the option of adding warheads to its existing land-based ICBM force, he said, with each of the 400 Minuteman III missiles currently deployed carrying three warheads. A new Sentinel ICBM is under development.

Regarding the conflict in Europe, General Cotton said he has not seen any signs from Moscow that would force STRATCOM to change its nuclear posture in the context of the Ukrainian army conducting a military campaign in Russia's Kursk region.

Minh Duc (According to Washington Times, KETV)