Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November 2, 2023
Posted: 2nd November 2023
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive to announce the Biden administration’s approach to artificial intelligence Monday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
A first take on the White House executive order on AI: A great start that perhaps doesn’t go far enough
It’s fantastic that the US government is taking the many risks of AI seriously, says Gary Marcus, a leading voice in artificial intelligence. But “the executive order, as good as it is, may fall short. Companies will poke for loopholes and surely find them.” Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
The climate blind spot in nuclear weapons policy
The latest climate science has massive implications that can help steer nuclear strategy in a more ethical direction. Read more.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
How Hamas innovated with drones to operate like an army
Two experts from Texas Tech University write that while Hamas is a terrorist organization—and behaving like one—it is fighting more like a state military force. “Small, tactical drones are a central factor in its proficiency.” Read more.
Coming soon: November issue on the current state of the fight against the climate crisis
Next week, dive into the latest Bulletinmagazine issue covering unique aspects of the climate crisis—from how to survive extreme wildfires to the changing landscape of climate journalism. Subscribe now to read the full issue when it publishes on November 8.
IN THE NEWS
Bulletin board member Jaan Tallinn joins UN AI advisory body
The Bulletin congratulates Jaan Tallinn, founding engineer of Skype and a member of the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors, on his membership in a new UN advisory body that will support the international community’s efforts to govern artificial intelligence. Read more.
SPONSORED
Call for proposals – AMC Conference 2024
The Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament is thrilled to announce its third Cross-Disciplinary Conference in June. Propose activities relevant to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. Submit your proposals by December 3!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The most immediately useful step we could take would be to support the growing international movement for the universal adoption of No First Use doctrine by the nuclear-armed states.”
— Gareth Evans, member of the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors and former Foreign Minister of Australia, “Australia must lobby US for ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons, says ex-minister Gareth Evans,” Guardian
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