Artificial intelligence presents a "Hiroshima"-style risk to humanity if global powers fail to establish international rules for its development, warned Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary. She urged countries, including the US and China, to reach an agreement on AI governance, predicting that the issue will dominate foreign policy discussions over the next two years.
In an essay published by the Chatham House thinktank, Cooper drew a parallel to nuclear weapons, stating, "On nuclear, international agreement came only after the world saw the terrifying power of the new technology at Hiroshima – and asked what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands. We cannot afford to wait for an AI equivalent of Hiroshima before we act."
Cooper expressed concern that malign actors, such as state-backed criminal groups, extremists, and terror groups, will exploit AI technology. She also identified the climate crisis, irregular migration, and foreign interference as significant threats to Western liberal democracy.
Cooper's essay outlines her worldview and priorities for the Foreign Office, suggesting that European powers must adapt to a diminished role of the US in guaranteeing international peace and democracy. She advocates for a stronger European security architecture, potentially with a more central European NATO, and a stable, closer partnership with the EU rather than continuous renegotiation of individual trade elements.
Additionally, Cooper voiced worries that the peace process in Palestine is faltering, with global attention diverted by other crises, including a potential conflict involving Iran and the US.