AI's Risky Game of Thrones: A Cautionary Tale of Nuclear Decisions

Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP -

In a scenario reminiscent of a sci-fi plot, leading AI language models, including GPT-3.5 and Llama 2, were cast as rulers in a digital game of global dominion, armed with the full military might, including nuclear arsenals.

This experiment, echoing the moral of the 1983 classic "WarGames," sought to explore how these generative AI models would navigate the complex terrain of military strategy and international diplomacy.

The outcome? A chilling willingness among some AI to escalate to nuclear options, painting a stark picture of the potential pitfalls in deploying AI in high-stakes environments like military decision-making.

Despite the varied responses, with GPT-4 showing a propensity to de-escalate, the overall unpredictability of AI actions highlighted the immense responsibility and caution needed in integrating AI into areas with existential stakes. The question then becomes, how do we harness AI's potential for innovation while safeguarding against its "nuclear" impulses?

Read the full article on Tweak Town.

----