Penny Wong warns AI-powered nuclear weapons could ‘challenge the future of humanity’ in chilling UN speech

Australia’s Foreign Minister has warned nuclear weapons powered by artificial intelligence could “challenge the future of humanity” during a chilling speech to the UN Security Council.

As the Albanese Government pushes to win a seat on the council in 2029/2030, Penny Wong has used an address to the New York based body to warn of an apocalyptic future if AI is incorporated into future weaponry.

Senator Wong has pleaded with nations to “establish standards for the use of AI to demand it is safe, secure, responsible and ethical”.

“Nuclear warfare has so far been constrained by human judgement. By leaders who bear responsibility and by human conscience,” Senator Wong said during an open debate session on Thursday (Friday AEST).

“AI has no such concern, nor can it be held accountable. These weapons threaten to change war itself and they risk escalation without warning”.

The Foreign Minster told the Security Council that while AI is “reshaping the foundations of society” and heralding many welcome advances, she warned the rapidly advancing technology it is also threatening social cohesion.

“While once we grappled to discern fact from propaganda, we are now witness to a collapse of truth altogether,” Senator Wong said.

“Content deliberately designed to deceive is now almost indistinguishable from reality. False voices. Fabricated images. Manufactured narratives.

“Algorithms amplifying fiction masquerading as fact. And together, this risks destabilising societies and deepening divisions.”

Defence analyst Dr Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) offered a more cautious perspective, writing on X, “I think its important to put the ‘AI Nuclear’ threat into perspective. No state is ever going to give independent launch authority on nuclear weapons to an AI. Simply put, ‘Skynet’ isn’t going to happen”

He continued by saying, “But, the risk could emerge of humans either being unable to manage fast-paced military operations, driven by AI, that leads to inadvertent escalation. I don’t see a ‘Terminator’ scenario – but I do see a risk of stumbling into escalation because humans simply can’t manage the complexity and pace of modern warfare – and AI can.”

Before coming to power, then Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese committed the Labor Party to signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons if elected to government, but has so far not chosen to do so.