Biographer who inspired 'Oppenheimer' backs bill banning use of AI in nuclear launches
The author whose biography of scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer inspired the new film "Oppenheimer" has backed a bill banning the use of artificial intelligence in the launching of nuclear weapons.
Kai Bird expressed support on Friday for the Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Act introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Bird, whose 2005 book "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" served as the main inspiration for "Oppenheimer," said in a statement that humanity "must always maintain sole control over nuclear weapons...as my book chronicles, humanity missed a crucial opportunity at the outset of the nuclear age to avoid a nuclear arms race that has since kept us on the brink of destruction for decades."
Bird added, "We face the prospect of a new danger: the increasing automation of warfare. We must forestall the AI arms race...this bill will send a powerful signal to the world that the United States will never take the reckless step of automating our nuclear command and control."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Markey's legislation would be a provision in an upcoming defense spending bill, and the senator recently met with Bird to share "their mutual concerns over the proliferation of artificial intelligence in national security and defense without guardrails," a spokesperson for Markey told Politico.
While "Oppenheimer" presents a warning to the moviegoer about the dangers of nuclear proliferation, director Christopher Nolan also echoed Bird's warning about AI. Nolan told NBC News that AI researchers "literally refer to this as their Oppenheimer moment. They're looking to his story to say 'OK, what are the responsibilities for scientists developing new technologies that may have unintended consequences?'"
Physicist Carlo Rovelli also told NBC that the questions of "Oppenheimer" are "not just about the '40s and about general issues about the morality of scientists. They are burning questions today."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published