In 1983, the world came dangerously close to a nuclear war that could have been triggered by the error of a machine. Our Editorial Director reflects on this crucial event that took place forty years ago, where the quick thinking of one man saved us all from catastrophe.
On the night of September 26, 1983, Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov, a lieutenant colonel in the Russian army, was on duty in the “Serpukhov 15” bunker, monitoring U.S. missile activities. Tensions between the superpowers were at an all-time high during the Cold War, with both sides engaging in dangerous military exercises.
Petrov’s world-changing decision came when the Oko computer system, believed to be infallible, signaled the launch of a missile from the U.S. towards the Soviet Union. Despite protocol demanding immediate retaliation, Petrov hesitated. He trusted his judgment over the machine’s data and decided not to raise the alarm, ultimately preventing a catastrophic mistake.
This incredible story highlights the importance of human intelligence and moral judgment in the face of advanced technology. As Pope Francis rightly pointed out, autonomous weapon systems can never replace the unique ethical decision-making abilities of human beings.
Let us remember Stanislav Petrov’s brave actions and strive for meaningful human oversight in the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. As the Pope emphasizes, war is a defeat for humanity, and hiding behind algorithms to make life-and-death decisions is a grave ethical concern. Stanislav Petrov’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial role that human judgment plays in preventing disaster.
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