Holy See warns UN about nuclear landscape in AI age

Archbishop Christophe El Kassis told the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that, “Disarmament is not an abstract aspiration; it cannot be postponed until more favourable circumstances arise. It is an essential part of building peace”.

“At a time when progress towards integral human development is fragile and so many basic human needs are unmet, the continued growth of global military expenditure is a serious concern,” he said.

Archbishop El Kassis spoke on October 14 at a General Assembly committee regarding disarmament and international security.

The Permanent Observer noted that humanity is in a period where “conflicts and divisions are poisoning international relations”, trust and dialogue are being weakened and arms control and disarmament are coming under strain, as resources are increasingly used for military spending.

The nuclear landscape causes “profound concern”, he continued, noting also the dangerous integrating of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into nuclear-related systems.

“These developments further expose the flawed logic of nuclear deterrence as a security model,” he emphasised. “A system that relies on the credible threat of catastrophic destruction is vulnerable to escalation and miscalculation.”  

Given this context, Archbishop El Kassis stressed how the Holy See reiterates its appeal for legally binding instruments establishing clear prohibitions of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), regulating the development and the use of AI and ensuring accountability and protection for civilians and important infrastructure.

“Technological progress must always serve the human person and the common good and must never diminish the moral responsibility that accompanies decisions over humans.”

The Holy See also called for respect for existing international commitments and insisted that current moratoria on nuclear tests be upheld and the verification regime be fully supported.

Archbishop El Kassis also mentioned the devastating impact of conventional weapons and the impact they have on civilians, while drawing attention to the fact that emerging technologies are affecting other areas of international security, such as outer space.

“The Holy See therefore encourages renewed efforts to prevent the militarisation of outer space, ensuring that space activities are conducted responsibly and exclusively for peaceful purposes and the benefit of all humanity,” he said.

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Holy See: Disarmament is essential to building peace and cannot be postponed (By Isabella H. de Carvalho/Vatican News)