On 22–23 January, SIPRI collaborated with the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA) at Nagasaki University and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) to organize a conference in Geneva. ‘Risk at the Intersections: The Nuclear Impacts of Emerging Technologies’ explored how emerging technologies and nuclear risks collide and shape escalation pathways.
The hybrid conference brought together state representatives and experts working on issues pertaining to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging technologies. Over the two days, speakers presented nuclear-relevant developments in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and outer space; examined the risks of systemic threats such as climate change; considered new research on the consequences of nuclear weapon use; and discussed priorities for integrated and comprehensive risk reduction strategies. They also examined other multilateral WMD regimes for lessons that could be applied to the governance of technological developments.
Four SIPRI experts participated in the event, representing several of SIPRI’s research programmes: SIPRI experts Fei Su, Senior Researcher in the SIPRI China and Asia Security Programme, and Dr Wilfred Wan, Director of the SIPRI WMD Programme, participated in a panel during the conference.