Artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat to humanity if allowed to influence the control or deployment of nuclear weapons, Australia’s foreign affairs minister Penny Wong has warned in a stark address to the United Nations Security Council.

A Double-Edged Sword

Wong acknowledged that AI carries extraordinary potential for innovation across sectors, from healthcare to economic growth. But she cautioned that without effective global governance, the technology could also deepen instability, particularly if misapplied in military contexts.

“The rise of artificial intelligence challenges the future of humanity if used to control nuclear weapons,” Wong told the council. “The very systems that could deliver medical breakthroughs or accelerate development also have the capacity to accelerate destruction.”

The Nuclear Question

Her remarks highlighted a growing international concern: the fusion of AI with weapons of mass destruction. Experts warn that integrating AI into nuclear command-and-control systems could increase risks of miscalculation, accidents, or autonomous decision-making beyond human oversight.

“AI cannot and must not replace human judgment in matters of nuclear use,” Wong said, underscoring the dangers of entrusting machines with decisions that could trigger catastrophic conflict.

Call for Global Cooperation

The minister urged member states to strengthen international frameworks that regulate both AI and nuclear weapons. She called for transparency, accountability, and international cooperation to ensure that AI is developed and deployed safely.

“Just as we have treaties that limit the spread of nuclear arms, we need frameworks to prevent AI from becoming a destabilising force,” she said. “This is a responsibility we owe to future generations.”

A Wider Debate

Her intervention places Australia alongside a growing list of countries pushing for more robust global governance of AI technologies. The UN has increasingly been used as a platform to debate AI’s implications for peace and security, though consensus on binding regulations remains elusive.

Wong’s remarks add urgency to a debate where the stakes are higher than technological disruption alone—they extend to the survival of humanity itself.

Looking Ahead

As AI development accelerates, the question is not only how to harness its benefits but also how to prevent its misuse. Wong’s warning to the Security Council signals that the issue is now firmly on the global diplomatic agenda.

The challenge, she suggested, lies in building a future where AI is harnessed for human advancement rather than existential risk.