Experts call for codifying rules on AI use in military at Xiangshan Forum

Experts attending the ongoing Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Thursday called for codifying the basic rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern weapons and defense activities, which runs from Sept 12 to 14.

Under the theme of "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future," this year's forum features critical discussions on global security, regional stability, and innovative technologies in defense, with widest attendance from over 100 countries and organizations.

During a special academic activity of the forum, leading experts had a dialogue on AI security on Thursday afternoon as AI's influence has extended beyond mere production process, reaching a wide range of areas, including the military.

"This is still relatively new in the United States, but I think you can see it as an area of growth to have greater discussions about military AI and AI issues in the large," said Chad Sbragia, research staff member at the Institute for Defense Analyses, also former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for China.

Calling AI tools double-edged swords, he called for efforts to hammer out basic rules and guidelines for the use of the technology.

As AI's development direction is towards man-machine integration, how to make use of it in the military is another topic discussed at the event.

"The future development of AI in the military will focus on human-machine interaction and intelligent systems that integrate human, machines, and the environment. The outcome depends on who uses the technology, as different users will lead to different results. Therefore, we strongly urge the international community to take a unified stance, much like the opposition to nuclear weapons, and resist the misuse of AI, which could harm world peace," said Liu Wei, director of the human-machine interaction and cognitive engineering laboratory with the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

Experts call for codifying rules on AI use in military at Xiangshan Forum

Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.

"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."

In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.

The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.

CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon