Former US energy secretary Ernest Moniz has spoken to The National about his fears for the impact of artificial intelligence in the use of nuclear weapons and the danger that a leader could be misled into ordering a strike.
Technologies are advancing so rapidly as to make assurances that a human would always be in the loop obsolete. Many countries have arrangements to ensure that humans do remain in control.
"There are many disruptive technologies emerging at very, very rapid clock speed. AI, clearly, is the poster child for this," Mr Moniz said.
"Given the very short decision time that a leader of any of these countries would have – and we've had cases where mistaken data has been transmitted to the leader – the reality is, who's going to produce the briefing package for that president in one millisecond? It's going to be AI and we don't understand how AI even reaches its conclusions."
The scientist, who served as US secretary of energy from 2013 to 2017, is now a campaigner for the Nuclear Threat Initiative and is in Germany for this year's Munich Security Conference.
Munich Security Conference - in pictures
The campaign presented a report to the conference, Three Essential Steps for Reversing the Slide to Nuclear War, which included the recommendation that nuclear armed states conduct “fail-safe” reviews to strengthen safeguards against cyber and other interference in their systems.
"We have to discuss a lot of new approaches. We will have to discuss them unilaterally, bilaterally and possibly multilaterally, going forward."
Mr Moniz also forsees much more nuclear energy in the advanced economies both due to the needs of addressing carbon challenges to climate change and the soaring demand from the big data economic revolution.
The option of more nuclear including small modular reactors is a vital choice.
"To succeed in reaching the scale we need for climate reasons, meeting electricification needs, reinforcing grid reliability and resiliency," he said. "When you choose the nuclear technology, when you choose the supporting services, we say put the security considerations first.
"Starting with a clean slate like modular reactors gives everyone the opportunity to design a safety system properly."
In advancing the safe use of nuclear technology, Mr Moniz reserves particular praise for the UAE's introduction of reactors to its energy grid and the priority given to safeguards around the four units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.
"I'm just going to give a shout out to the UAE, which I think deserves enormous credit for how they built the four operating nuclear reactors," he said.
"They addressed those security concerns right at the beginning. Adopting those security approaches up front helped them to build the reactors efficiently because it allowed international collaboration to be offered without reservation."
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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Price: From Dh650,000
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Honeymoonish
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Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
This is an info box
- info goes here
- and here
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Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8