Breakfast Session under Chatham House Rule

Back to the Future: The Emergence of a New Arms Race

May 17, 08:15-09:45

In recent years there has been a notable uptick in the expansion of military arsenals globally, spearheaded by Russia and China. There is a risk of descent into a broader arms race, encompassing both nuclear and conventional capabilities. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that the application of emerging technologies has become indispensable in modern warfare. To prevail in a future war, nations are developing AI-controlled weapon systems and are investing heavily in new technologies, such as quantum computing. The possible application of AI in nuclear operations would be another challenge to international peace and security. Are we facing a new arms race and if so, who is winning? How can we keep up with the investments made by Russia and China?