Archive · 17 Sep 2026
US Lawmakers Urge China to Keep Humans Controlling Nuclear Launches
Two US lawmakers want people, not artificial intelligence, to make decisions about launching nuclear weapons.
They asked President Donald Trump to discuss this with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Their request was made before a planned meeting between the two leaders.
The lawmakers said the United States already follows this human-control principle.
They want China to make the same promise.
They warned that AI could cause a nuclear disaster by accident or through deliberate use.
Their letter did not say that China has already allowed AI to launch nuclear weapons.
It also did not explain how China currently uses AI in its nuclear systems.
Representatives Ted Lieu and Ed Markey urged President Donald Trump to raise human control over nuclear launches with Xi Jinping.
Their September 15 letter asked China to commit that artificial intelligence will not independently launch nuclear weapons.
The lawmakers cited Section 1638 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defence Authorisation Act as the basis for US policy.
They said AI should not weaken nuclear safeguards or remove humans from decisions to use nuclear weapons.
The letter did not accuse China of authorising autonomous nuclear launches or provide details about its launch systems.
- Who
- US Representative Ted Lieu, US Senator Ed Markey, President Donald Trump, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- What
- Lieu and Markey urged Trump to seek a Chinese commitment that humans remain in control of nuclear launch decisions.
- When
- The letter was dated September 15, and Lieu’s office issued a release on September 16; the proposed Trump-Xi meeting was described as occurring the following week.
- Where
- The appeal was issued from Washington; the location of the planned Trump-Xi meeting was not specified.
- Why
- The lawmakers said human control is needed to prevent artificial intelligence from accidentally or intentionally causing a nuclear disaster.
- Letter date
- September 15
- Office release
- September 16
- US lawmakers
- Representative Ted Lieu and Senator Ed Markey
- Requested commitment
- China should keep humans involved in nuclear launch decisions.
- Cited US provision
- Section 1638 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defence Authorisation Act
- Main warning
- AI should not independently launch a nuclear weapon or weaken nuclear safeguards.