Secretariat of the PCK inform that from 14 to 16 July 2026, the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War was held, with Pugwash serving as one of the organising partners of the international conference.
The Assembly brought together Nobel laureates, nuclear policy experts, scientists, representatives of the artificial intelligence industry, religious leaders and professionals directly involved in the development of AI technologies.
The initiative had two principal objectives: to examine the new existential risks arising from the interaction between artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons, and to build public awareness and momentum towards reducing the dangers that this combination poses to humanity.
During the first two days, meetings were held at Borgo Laudato Si’ on the grounds of Castel Gandolfo. Expert panels and working groups examined the fragility of the existing nuclear order and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into military systems.
Particular attention was given to:
• the use of AI in nuclear command-and-control systems;
• the risks associated with autonomous weapons;
• the possibility of conflict escalation at “machine speed”;
• the preservation of meaningful human control over military decisions;
• the impact of AI on information integrity and reliable communication;
• prospects for renewed international engagement on nuclear arms control.
Participants considered the practical and ethical requirements for ensuring that technological innovation remains aligned with widely recognised norms and contributes to global security.
In her address, Pugwash Secretary General Professor Karen Hallberg highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence. While AI has the potential to improve lives in many ways, ineffective governance could allow it to magnify existing global risks.
On the third day of the Assembly, the Rome Declaration, “Humanity at the Threshold: A Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Weapons,” was officially launched in Rome. The document sets out six fundamental principles concerning artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and the military use of emerging technologies. Professor Hallberg signed the Declaration on behalf of Pugwash, the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize laureate organisation.
Source: https://pugwash.org/2026/07/20/global-nobel-laureates-assembly-on-artificial-intelligence-and-nuclear-war/