North Korea’s Advancing AI Sparks Sanctions Worries

• North Korea develops AI for COVID-19, nuclear safety, and wargaming.
• Despite sanctions, it invests strategically in global AI collaboration.
• Dual-use concerns prompt questions about sanctions’ effectiveness.

In a recent study conducted by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California, it has been revealed that North Korea is actively developing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities across various domains. The study, published by the 38 North project, suggests that North Korea’s AI initiatives encompass a wide range of applications, from responding to COVID-19 and safeguarding nuclear reactors to wargaming simulations and government surveillance.

Despite international sanctions imposed on North Korea due to its nuclear weapons program, the regime appears to be making strategic investments in AI to strengthen its digital economy. While sanctions may have hindered the acquisition of AI hardware, the study suggests that North Korea is actively pursuing the latest technology in collaboration with foreign scholars, including those in China.

The report highlights North Korea’s establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute in 2013 and the promotion of commercial products featuring AI by several companies in recent years. In a notable application, North Korea reportedly used AI during the COVID-19 pandemic to create a model for evaluating proper mask usage and prioritizing clinical symptom indicators of infection.

Furthermore, the study points out that North Korean scientists have published research on using AI for maintaining the safety of nuclear reactors, raising concerns about the potential dual-use nature of their technological advancements. The recent observation by the U.N. nuclear watchdog and independent experts that a new reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex appears to be operating adds another layer of concern, suggesting a potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.

The development of AI for wargaming simulations is noted as a particular challenge, indicating North Korea’s intent to better understand operational environments against potential adversaries. The study also raises concerns about ongoing collaborations with foreign scholars, emphasizing the potential implications for the existing sanctions regime.

As North Korea advances its capabilities in artificial intelligence, the international community is increasingly worried about the potential dual-use applications of this technology, prompting discussions on the need for vigilance and potential adjustments to existing sanctions to address this emerging threat.

Also Read

Rising AI Use Raises Cybersecurity Concerns, GCHQ Alerts

GCHQ warns of AI-driven cyber threats. Lower barriers may boost ransomware and...