AI in Chinese, Indian and US Nuclear Postures, Norms and Systems

This backgrounder presents a systematic survey of the extent to which China, India and the United States have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their respective nuclear postures, norms and systems. It finds that while China and India have released limited official information on their nuclear command, control and communications structure, the USA has historically issued prolific government documents. Despite these differences, all three possess numerous official releases relating to AI and even its military applications. Moreover, China and the USA have jointly advocated ‘human control’ over the decision to use nuclear weapons. Yet these seeming points of convergence are in flux. There are increasing signs that China and the USA are integrating AI into nuclear and nuclear-related systems, while India’s AI officials and frameworks avoid nuclear-related transparency. This survey is intended to serve as a baseline for future engagement with and among China, India and the USA on AI and nuclear confidence-building measures.