Zelensky Urges Halt to AI in Warfare, Cites Dangers Ahead of UN Assembly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly, calling for an end to all ongoing wars before artificial intelligence (AI) is implemented for battlefield decision-making. Zelensky emphasized the accelerating pace of AI development in weaponry, stating that the technology could soon shift from digital applications to actively shaping events on the ground.

"We need to slow it down before we reach the next stage, because as early as next year, there is already a real possibility that AI, not only people, will begin to decide what happens on the battlefield, and we need peace before we reach that point," Zelensky said. He further cautioned, "If you listen to some of the biggest believers in the development of AI, they say today AI still remains mostly digital, but one day AI will move from the digital world to shaping atoms. And when that happens, we had better be at peace."

Zelensky’s remarks come amid growing concerns about the potential deployment of AI in warfare. These fears were amplified last month by an incident involving a Russian drone guided by AI that resulted in the deaths of three Ukrainians, including a university student. The conflict in Ukraine has increasingly highlighted the rapid evolution and integration of new technologies, particularly drones, into modern combat.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.

Zelensky joined a chorus of international leaders and technology experts advocating for a slowdown in AI development. Concerns have been raised by figures like former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who has warned of AI's potential to pose existential threats.

Ukrainian firefighters search under the rubble for civilians following a Russian air strike on a residential building in Donetsk Region on Wednesday.

Conversely, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking before the same assembly, rejected what he termed "dire warnings" about AI. Trump characterized the criticism of the technology as an attempt to establish a "globalist scheme to control the artificial intelligence," which he prefers to call "super intelligence." He asserted that the United States is currently leading in this technological race and aims to maintain that advantage over countries like China. However, President Trump also indicated a willingness to involve the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies in regulating AI if it proves to be excessively dangerous.

The war in Ukraine has become shaped by smarter and smarter weapons, including new missile and drone technology.