AI and the arms race

Pakistan's warning at a recent UNSC briefing against artificial intelligence becoming another dimension of the global arms race deserves serious attention. The technology is advancing at a pace that threatens to outstrip the institutions responsible for controlling its use, particularly in matters of international security.

AI-assisted surveillance and automated threat detection could alter how future crises unfold. An erroneous assessment of hostile intent or a false warning could trigger a response before the information has been independently verified. The danger lies in human operators becoming increasingly dependent on systems whose conclusions they may have insufficient time to question. Moreover, AI can facilitate sophisticated cyberattacks and expose critical infrastructure to new vulnerabilities. Its ability to generate convincing false information could also complicate diplomatic efforts during periods of heightened tension. There is, however, a fundamental contradiction at the heart of the global debate. The countries and corporations developing the most advanced AI systems are also competing for economic and strategic advantage. Their willingness to accept restrictions is consequently constrained by the fear of falling behind their rivals.

Pakistan's insistence on inclusive governance raises an equally important concern. Measures introduced in the name of safety must not become a means of consolidating technological power in a handful of countries or denying developing nations access to its benefits. Pakistan, for its part, must ensure that its international position is reflected in its domestic preparedness. Its national security institutions need clearly defined protocols governing the deployment of AI in sensitive operations, while civilian authorities must strengthen their capacity to identify and respond to emerging cyber threats. The country must also invest in the expertise required to participate meaningfully in international rule-making rather than remaining a passive recipient of standards developed elsewhere.