Iceland's President Calls for Dialogue Amid AI and Global Tensions

In conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, artificial intelligence has played a role in lethal actions, raising profound questions about human accountability in warfare. An AI-guided Russian drone killed civilians in Ukraine, while an AI-assisted tool in Gaza aided Israeli forces in targeting a Hamas commander, a strike that resulted in numerous civilian casualties.

These events underscore a growing concern: as machines become more involved in life-and-death decisions, the human cost can be overlooked. This issue was central to recent discussions in Reykjavík, Iceland, drawing parallels to the historic 1986 summit between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Echoes of Reykjavík

Forty years ago, Reagan and Gorbachev met at Höfði House, a summit that, despite failing to yield an immediate agreement, fostered dialogue and laid the groundwork for future arms reductions. Halla Tómasdóttir, then a young exchange student and now President of Iceland, recalled the moment and its enduring lesson: the power of human connection and dialogue.

In the current era, characterized by unprecedented technological connectivity, understanding between people appears increasingly fragile, separated by fear and mistrust. While technologies like AI offer immense potential for progress in medicine and education, they also carry risks of accelerating conflict and challenging human control.

Crucial Questions for the AI Age

The rapid growth of AI capabilities has outpaced human wisdom, prompting critical examination. Iceland has recently explored these issues, commencing with a traveling exhibition from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum that highlighted the human devastation of nuclear warfare.

Discussions with technology experts, including Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin, focused on the ethical implications of AI, specifically questioning not just what AI can do, but what humanity should permit it to do and who should make those decisions. More importantly, conversations extended to the broader population, with young Icelanders initiating dialogues on the future they wish to create, emphasizing the need for their voices to be heard in decisions that will shape their lives.

These grassroots discussions highlighted a fundamental principle: decisions made without the input of those affected are seldom wise. The act of dialogue, at its best, is an acknowledgment of shared humanity and responsibility for the future, even amid disagreement.

The Demands of Dialogue

Dialogue's purpose is not solely consensus, but connection, which is the foundation of trust. This spirit culminated in the presentation of "A Call from Reykjavík," a document signed by three women presidents and open to others, advocating for meaningful human control over powerful technologies, particularly in war and nuclear weapons, and prioritizing peace and responsibility to future generations.

In a subsequent public conversation, Presidents Tómasdóttir, Nataša Pirc Musar of Slovenia, and former Irish President Mary Robinson discussed humanity's choices. This gathering of three women leaders echoed the 1986 summit, emphasizing that progress requires diverse voices and perspectives.

Tómasdóttir posited that dialogue is not a passive alternative but a demanding form of leadership, requiring courage to listen to opposing views, humility to acknowledge unknowns, and strength to resist oversimplification. Dialogue is presented not as a substitute for action, but as a facilitator of the trust and understanding necessary for lasting change.

AI-Assisted Warfare and Human Infrastructure

The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza serve as stark reminders of the human cost of war, with AI-assisted warfare further distancing decision-makers from the consequences. The call is clear: human judgment, accountability, and conscience must not be ceded to machines.

However, the solution lies beyond technology. It requires strengthening human infrastructure—relationships, institutions, shared values, and cooperative habits. Equipping future generations with critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration skills is as vital as technical expertise.

Iceland's experience suggests that even deeply divided parties can find common ground, as demonstrated 40 years ago. A new "Reykjavík moment" is needed globally, extending beyond official summits to parliaments, classrooms, and communities. It is a call to bridge divides where fear has replaced curiosity and power has outrun wisdom.

Ultimately, the future will be shaped not just by technological prowess, but by the quality of human conversations and the courage of the subsequent choices.