EAG Talks Nuclear Risk and AI | Alice Saltini | EAGxNordics 2025
In an environment where global tensions surge, geopolitical rivalries intensify, and debates over expanding arsenals become ever more heated, the risk emerges that instability—fueled by misperceptions, misinterpretations and communication breakdowns—could inadvertently propel us toward a nuclear confrontation. In this context, a new arms race is underway: one that seeks a strategic edge by incorporating advanced AI into nuclear decision-making processes. This talk explores the risks at the AI-nuclear nexus, analyzing how various integrations can influence escalation dynamics and potentially lead to unintended nuclear escalation. Moreover, it discusses what future developments might hold, and examines the platforms where discussions on AI in nuclear decision-making have already begun—offering insights on diplomatic measures that could be employed to avoid catastrophic nuclear risks.Alice Saltini is a Non-Resident Expert on AI at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and an AI-Nuclear Policy Advisor at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST), specializing in the impact of AI on nuclear decision-making. She advises governments and international organizations on managing AI-related nuclear risks, focusing on mitigating the challenges of integrating AI into military and nuclear weapons systems by translating complex technical concepts into actionable policy insights. She has published extensively on military applications of AI and has developed a general-purpose risk assessment framework for analyzing AI and nuclear risks. Previously, Alice worked at the European Leadership Network, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization and CNS. Alice is part of the Executive Committee for the Younger Generation Leaders Network and was a CENESS-CTBTO Research Fellow. She holds a Master’s degree in Russian Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Nonproliferation Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.