Every year on January 1, the Church celebrates the World Day of Peace; since 1968, the pope has issued a special message to mark the day. On December 8, the Vatican released the text for Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message for 2024 under the title “Artificial Intelligence and Peace.”
The message states, “To date, there is no single definition of artificial intelligence in the world of science and technology. … Artificial intelligence ought to be understood as a galaxy of different realities.” (2) Merriam-Webster defines artificial intelligence (AI) as “the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior.”
As Pax Christi chapters around the country prepare to mark the third anniversary of the Treaty of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) coming into force (on January 22), it is important to understand the implications of using artificial intelligence in nuclear weapons systems, along with associated launch detection and command and control applications. While Pope Francis does not explicitly address possible incorporation of artificial intelligence in the nuclear weapons area, he does ask “what impact will new digital technologies have on individual lives and on societies, on international stability and peace?” (1) The pope’s message stresses that, “the world has no need of new technologies that contribute to the unjust development of commerce and the weapons trade and consequently end up promoting the folly of war.” (6)
For Pax Christi members who want to learn more about artificial intelligence and the ethical implications of employing AI in nuclear weapon systems, consider these additional resources:
- AI and nuclear command, control and communications: P5 perspectives, European Leadership Network (Nov. 2023)
- Assessing and Managing the Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear-Weapon Systems, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) (August 2021)
- The impact of AI on nuclear deterrence and military strategy, including the ethical implications, presentation to Pontifical Academy of Sciences (2019)
Written by Jim Thomas, member of the Pax Christi USA nuclear disarmament working group
The U.S. Department of Energy points out that AI is very costly in terms of the use of water and electrical power (and thus the pollution resulting from burning fossil fuels to generate the power). Examples: Data Centers in the U.S. consumed an estimated 70 billion KwH of electricity in 2014, about the same amount used in 6.4 million U.S. homes. And a study by the University of Massachusetts found that one AI model can emit more than 626 pounds of CO2, roughly equal to the lifetime emissions of five motor vehicles. I infer that restraint is needed in the use of AI, even for defense. Pollution already unbalances the resiliency of the atmosphere. AI worsens it.
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