Algorithms of misperception: Managing nuclear risk in an AI world

The new nuclear age—characterized by renewed great power rivalry, aggressive behavior by nuclear weapons countries, the collapse of arms control, and what seems to be an increased risk of nuclear proliferation—differs from previous eras in another important way: This age is shaped by information abundance. But the abundance comes with a paradox: With more data there is also an increase in noise, deception, and potential misperception that could have crucial consequences in managing nuclear crises. The challenge for the next decade isn’t just managing nuclear weapons; it’s managing how nuclear realities are perceived, misperceived, and twisted.