Global security experts gathered at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum warned that AI is dangerously compressing decision-making timelines for governments and militaries. About 2,000 attendees from 100 countries, including a senior Pentagon official and North Korean representative, joined three days of discussions. Thailand's Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen said the world stands at a critical turning point, while Jurg Lauber, vice-president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressed the need to preserve human judgment over the use of force and raised concerns about autonomous weapons.
China and the US, the two largest AI powers, remain divided on controlling AI in military systems, including nuclear weapons. Pakistan's Defense Secretary Muhammad Ali noted that AI is compressing the strategic timeline. Security experts from both countries have called for guardrails and consensus-building. Lauber also discussed how low-cost drones are changing the nature of warfare.
Beyond the security arena, Singapore launched its SkillsFuture AI Subscription initiative, offering a free six-month subscription to premium AI tools alongside over 200 AI courses. The World Health Organization released a report on ethics oversight for AI health research, addressing informed consent, bias, and risks in low-income settings. South Carolina lawmakers met at the Ascend SC forum to discuss AI regulation, with Gov. Henry McMaster having signed Senate Bill 163 in May to protect digital rights.
On the policy front, the Senate blocked Senator John Kennedy's proposed AI kill switch bill, which aimed to address concerns about superintelligence. Gartner urged governments to manage agentic AI, build cybersecurity culture, and rethink service delivery with AI-literate workforces. A 2026 Pentera survey found 75% of CISOs use wrong controls to secure AI workflows, with entry points like browser extensions often bypassing security reviews.
Key Takeaways
- Jurg Lauber of the International Committee of the Red Cross warned about autonomous weapons and stressed preserving human judgment over the use of force at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum
- AI is compressing decision-making timelines for governments and militaries, according to delegates at the three-day Beijing forum with 2,000 attendees from 100 countries
- China and the US remain divided on controlling AI use in military systems, including nuclear weapons
- Singapore launched over 200 AI courses with free six-month subscriptions to premium AI tools through its SkillsFuture initiative
- The WHO released a report on ethics oversight for AI health research, covering informed consent, bias, and risks in low-income settings
- The Senate blocked Senator John Kennedy's AI kill switch bill aimed at addressing superintelligence risks
- Gartner urged governments to manage agentic AI, build cybersecurity culture, and develop AI-literate workforces
- 75% of CISOs secure AI workflows with controls built for other risks, according to a 2026 Pentera survey
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed Senate Bill 163 in May to protect digital rights amid AI oversight discussions
- The Pentagon's AI chief Cameron Stanley admitted AI is causing harm to humans in the Iran war, where over 3,000 missiles were fired at more than 13,000 targets in 38 days
Delegates warn about AI risks at China defense conference
Delegates at China's annual China Defence and Security Conference in Beijing raised concerns about unchecked AI development. They warned that AI and technology rivalries could increase military tensions. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum featured discussions on AI's growing role in military affairs. About 2,000 attendees from 100 countries participated in the three-day event. Thailand's Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen was among the speakers.
Global security experts warn AI is speeding up warfare decisions
Delegates at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum warned that AI is compressing decision-making for governments and militaries. Misinformation can fracture public trust before leaders can respond. Thailand's Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen spoke about strategic competition among major powers. The International Committee of the Red Cross vice-president Jurg Lauber highlighted concerns about autonomous weapons. About 2,000 military officers, diplomats and academics from 100 countries attended the three-day event that ended on Thursday.
China and US divided on controlling AI in military systems
Delegates at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum expressed fears about unchecked AI development and technology rivalries. China and the US, the two largest AI powers, remain divided on controlling AI use in military systems including nuclear weapons. Pakistan's Defense Secretary Muhammad Ali said AI is compressing the strategic timeline. The International Committee of the Red Cross vice-president Jurg Lauber discussed how low-cost drones are changing warfare. Security experts from both countries have called for guardrails and consensus-building.
AI military concerns dominate Beijing security forum discussions
Delegates at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum warned that AI has dangerously compressed decision-making for governments and militaries. Thailand's Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen said the world is at a critical turning point. The three-day event ended on Thursday with about 2,000 attendees from 100 countries. Delegates included a North Korean representative, a senior Pentagon official, Russian academics and Taliban delegates. Jurg Lauber of the International Committee of the Red Cross stressed the need to preserve human judgment over the use of force.
Media consultant explores whether AI can be reined in
Media consultant Holland Cooke discussed everyday uses of AI in a recent segment. He addressed growing fears about AI and its expanding role in daily life. Cooke shared ways to limit AI use and manage its risks. The discussion highlighted both the benefits and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence technology.
Media consultant explores ways to control AI use
Media consultant Holland Cooke discusses everyday uses of artificial intelligence. He also shares growing fears about the technology and suggests ways to limit AI use. The discussion covers both the benefits and risks of expanding AI adoption.
Singapore launches over 200 AI courses with free tools
Singapore launched Its SkillsFuture AI Subscription initiative offering a free six-month subscription to selected premium AI tools. The programs include over 200 AI courses and an AI Ready Quiz developed with the Singapore Institute of Technology. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong opened Connect by SWDA at the Lifelong Learning Institute. The center provides career support, professional development, and workforce advice for employers and individuals.
WHO launches report on ethics oversight for AI health research
The World Health Organization hosted a virtual launch of its new report on ethics oversight of AI-related health research. The report offers practical recommendations for researchers, ethics committees, regulators, funders, and policy-makers. Discussions covered informed consent, bias in AI health research, and improving research ethics committee capacity. The report also addresses risks in low-income settings and included a panel of leading experts.
VSU hosts free screening of AI documentary Ghost in the Machine
Valdosta State University hosted a free public screening of the documentary Ghost in the Machine on September 21. The film explores the untold origins of artificial intelligence and the problematic foundations of large language models. Director Valerie Veatch examines the forces driving the global AI boom over eight chapters. The screening was presented by the VSU Anthropology Club and Lowndes Citizens Against Data Centers and lasted about one hour and thirty-seven minutes.
Senate blocks Kennedy AI kill switch bill
The Senate blocked Senator John Kennedy's proposed AI kill switch bill. Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, discussed risks of artificial intelligence during a Senate Judiciary Committee discussion. He warned about the technology's rapid self-improvement capabilities. The bill aimed to address bipartisan concerns regarding superintelligence development.
US military uses AI in Iran war causing harm, Pentagon admits
A March 2026 poll found most Americans know little about the Pentagon's use of AI in the Iran war. The Department of Defense's AI chief Cameron Stanley admitted AI is causing harm to humans. The military fired over 3,000 missiles at more than 13,000 targets in 38 days. AI makes lethal recommendations with limited human oversight.
South Carolina leaders discuss AI oversight and data protection
South Carolina lawmakers and tech experts met at the Ascend SC forum in Charleston to discuss AI regulation. State Rep. Greg Ford is drafting legislation to limit government data collection. The forum focused on keeping humans in control of AI technology. Gov. Henry McMaster signed Senate Bill 163 in May to protect digital rights.
Gartner urges governments to modernize AI security and workforce
Gartner advised government leaders to update their AI, security, and workforce strategies. The first trend is managing agentic AI across government operations. The second is building an always evolving cybersecurity culture against new threats. The third is rethinking technology service delivery with digital and AI literate workforces.
Most CISOs use wrong controls to secure AI workflows
A 2026 Pentera survey found 75% of CISOs secure AI workflows with controls built for other risks. Omdia's survey of 733 decision makers found nearly 80% are active AI adopters using existing software. AI entry points like browser extensions and personal accounts often bypass security reviews. Experts say risk scores that update in real time are better than static allow and deny lists.
Sources
- AI military risks spark concern at China security conference
- AI military risks spark concern at China security conference
- AI military risks spark concern at China security conference
- AI Military Risks Spark Concern at China Security Conference
- Artificial intelligence, can it be reined in?
- Artificial intelligence, can it be reined in?
- Singapore Rolls Out Over 200 AI Courses With Free Access to Selected Premium Tools
- Virtual launch: New report on ethics oversight of AI-related health research
- VSU to Host Free Screening of AI Documentary “Ghost in the Machine”
- Senate blocks Kennedy's AI 'kill switch' bill
- Killer AI is already here—we’re using it in Iran
- SC lawmakers, tech experts discuss AI oversight at Ascend SC forum
- Governments Must Modernise AI, Security And Workforce Models, Urges Gartner
- 75% of CISOs secure AI workflows with controls built for other risks
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