China's Defense Ministry calls for 'prudent and responsible' approach to AI in military

China's Defense Ministry on Thursday called on all countries, especially major powers, to adopt a "prudent and responsible" attitude to the military use of artificial intelligence.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the ministry's spokesman, made the remarks at a news conference when elaborating on China's stance on AI's military application.

He said China's Global Initiative for AI Governance has contributed the country's wisdom to guide global AI governance.

In recent years, China has actively participated in global AI governance by submitting position papers to the United Nations concerning regulating the military application of AI and strengthening its moral governance, Wu said.

The official stressed that China pays high attention to security risks posed by AI's military applications, calling on all countries, particularly major powers, to adopt a prudent and responsible attitude to the research, development, and application of AI technologies in the military field.

"China is opposed to using AI advantages to undermine the sovereignty of other countries," he said.

Following a human-oriented approach and the principle of developing AI for good, China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with different parties to build consensus on regulating military use of AI, avoid the "misuse, abuse, and malicious use" of relevant weapon systems, and ensure absolute human control over these weapon systems, the spokesman said.