Code Red: Left, Right, and the Race to Control AI
Winton Hall’s latest book, Code Red: Left, Right, and the Race to Control AI, takes a serious look at the fast-approaching threats posed by autonomous weapons. These technologies could change warfare radically in the 21st century, much like nuclear weapons did in the previous century. The challenge of controlling the potential dangers of AI could be far greater than managing nuclear proliferation.
One major issue is that, unlike uranium enrichment or the design of intercontinental ballistic missiles, AI is relatively inexpensive and widely accessible. The materials needed to create autonomous weapons are not overly costly and are easy to produce. Hall highlights an early instance of an autonomous weapon killing a human without direct human oversight in Libya in 2020, involving equipment from a Turkish defense manufacturer. This development shows that AI warfare isn’t just a game played by superpowers.
Hall emphasizes that “the democratization of lethal AI weapons means that technologies that were once limited to superpowers are now becoming available to a broad range of actors, both state and non-state.”
Yet, it’s important to note that major powers may still invest heavily in more destructive capabilities. An example is Israel’s use of AI in its military actions in Gaza, demonstrating how machine learning can quickly analyze information and engage targets much faster than human operators. According to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials, the AI systems they utilized were exponentially quicker than their highly skilled intelligence teams.
Linking such advanced data analysis systems to autonomous weapons brings us closer to a potential scenario of hyperwar, where powerful nations engage in full-scale conflict that relies heavily on artificial intelligence. As Hall points out, the speed advantage of autonomous weapons will make them exceptionally effective in future combat situations. In much the same way that old gunslingers prepared before a duel, it’s critical we don’t allow our enemies to monopolize systems that enable quicker target identification and elimination.
Hall further comments that “in a life-and-death combat situation, even a few seconds’ delay could mean the difference between an American soldier coming home alive or in a flag-draped coffin.” While he advocates for human involvement in military operations, he also argues that if opponents are deploying autonomous weaponry, the U.S. must be prepared to do the same.
This emerging reality suggests a future where autonomous weapons could effectively engage one another, and retaining human control might be a liability. It’s unsettling to think about removing humans entirely from warfare.
Another hurdle for the United States is the lack of similar moral dilemmas faced by its adversaries. Hall discusses the resistance encountered by American high-tech workers who protested military contracts, insisting that their technology not be used by the Department of Defense. This resistance can jeopardize the safety of American service members.
In contrast, Hall notes, “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) certainly does not face much resistance to its civil-military fusion, and Russia’s technology sector does not oppose President Vladimir Putin over his military modernization policies.”
Interestingly, even some prominent figures in Silicon Valley, who might lean politically left, have begun to recognize the risks of aiding authoritarian regimes in gaining advantages in military AI.
The chapter on AI weapons opens with a quote from Vladimir Putin: “Those who become leaders in this field will become rulers of the world.” It seems that Big Tech is starting to heed the warning signs.
Ultimately, AI serves as just another tool; it aims to complete tasks at a lower cost and greater speed than traditional methods. Hall reminds readers that the first autonomous weapons—land mines—originated during the Civil War. While the basic concepts of these new autonomous systems haven’t changed much, the capabilities have advanced dramatically.
This shift means that violent non-state groups will soon have access to advanced drones, cyberweapons, and effective propaganda tools, thereby leveling the playing field with superpowers. Hall warns that the United States cannot afford to delay if it hopes to maintain a decisive lead in this new arms race.
