Hitting the Books: The Soviets once tasked an AI with our mutually assured destruction
by Andrew Imbrie and Ben Buchanan. Published by MIT Press. Copyright © 2021 by Andrew Imbrie and Ben Buchanan. All rights reserved.As the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union reached their apex in the fall of 1983, the nuclear war began. At least, that was what the alarms said at the bunker in Moscow where Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov was on duty.
Twenty-three minutes after the alarms—the time it would have taken a missile to hit Moscow—he knew that he was right and the computers were wrong. “It was such a relief,” he said later. After-action reports revealed that the sun’s glare off a passing cloud had confused the satellite warning system. Thanks to Petrov’s decisions to disregard the machine and disobey protocol, humanity lived another day.
The idea was simple, if harrowing: in a crisis, the Dead Hand would monitor the environment for signs that a nuclear attack had taken place, such as seismic rumbles and radiation bursts. Programmed with a series of if-then commands, the system would run through the list of indicators, looking for evidence of the apocalypse. If signs pointed to yes, the system would test the communications channels with the Soviet General Staff. If those links were active, the system would remain dormant.
To automate nuclear reprisal is to play chicken without brakes or a steering wheel. It tells the world that no nuclear attack will go unpunished, but it greatly increases the risk of catastrophic accidents. For some, just like the Cold War strategists who deployed the expert systems in SAGE and the Dead Hand, the answer to these new fears is more automation. The commander of Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces has said that the original Dead Hand has been improved upon and is still functioning, though he didn’t offer technical details.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
After being mocked by Ted Cruz, 'Antiracist Baby' book hits bestseller listAfter being mocked by Ted Cruz during SCOTUS hearing, 'Antiracist Baby' book hits bestseller list
Read more »
Owners overjoyed as the return of Restaurant Week starts this weekendMore signs things are getting back to normal. After a mostly 'takeout' Chicago restaurant week last year, tables are booked once again.
Read more »
Instagram may soon allow you to respond to Stories with voice messages | EngadgetAccording to developer Alessandro Paluzzi, Instagram is working on allowing people to send voice messages in response to Stories..
Read more »
FCC says Russia’s Kaspersky Lab is a national security threat | EngadgetOn Friday, the FCC added Russia’s Kaspersky Lab to its “Covered List,” labeling the cybersecurity firm an “unacceptable” national security risk to the US..
Read more »
Valve’s summer Steam Next Fest starts June 13th | EngadgetOn Friday, Valve announced its fourth Next Fest would take place between June 13th and June 20th..
Read more »
Uber secures 30-month London taxi license | EngadgetFollowing a years-long dispute with the city’s transit regulator, Uber has earned a 30-month license to continue operating in London..
Read more »