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Leaders of other countries

Juan Manuel Santos

former president of Colombia; chair of The Elders; Nobel Peace Prize laureate

2 records

Portrait source: Beto Barata/PR, CC BY 2.0

Records

The development of increasingly advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities adds additional unpredictability into this mix. Nuclear states may in general terms recognise that human control over nuclear use is important. However, there is insufficient understanding of the impacts of the increasing integration of AI into nuclear command and control, and the impact of AI is not accounted for in any existing nuclear agreements.

Exact quote, beginning

Juan Manuel Santos

former president of Colombia; chair of The Elders; Nobel Peace Prize laureate

In remarks to a Vatican assembly on AI and nuclear war published in July 2026, Juan Manuel Santos said that as reliance on AI inputs for nuclear decision-making grows, so does the risk of losing meaningful human control over nuclear weapons.

Chair of The EldersJuly 2026Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War, Vatican

SourceArchived
Context and checks

Surrounding words

This risks leading us towards a “might is right” world in which the most powerful nuclear states feel entitled to use armed aggression against non-nuclear states. The development of increasingly advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities adds additional unpredictability into this mix. Nuclear states may in general terms recognise that human control over nuclear use is important. However, there is insufficient understanding of the impacts of the increasing integration of AI into nuclear command and control, and the impact of AI is not accounted for in any existing nuclear agreements. As our reliance on AI inputs for nuclear decision-making grows, so too does the risk of us losing meaningful human control over these civilisation-ending weapons. hese are issues that speak to the core of our common humanity.

What this quote does not say

  • The official page's written remarks have not been audited word-for-word against the recording.
  • The claim is about AI inside nuclear command and control, not about AI systems acting on their own. 'Civilisation-ending weapons' names the nuclear arsenal, not AI.

How this was checked

  • Quote located in the captured page; spacing normalised for display.

Reviewed by

an AI reviewer that read the whole source · an automatic character-by-character check

We are deeply concerned that there is currently no binding global governance mechanism for AI. Without effective governance, it will be difficult, impossible, to ensure that AI becomes a force for good, guided by human dignity, responsibility, accountability, and the rule of law. We applaud the Holy Father’s call to disarm AI, and his moral leadership.

Exact quote, beginning

Juan Manuel Santos

former president of Colombia; chair of The Elders; Nobel Peace Prize laureate

In remarks to a Vatican assembly on AI and nuclear war published in July 2026, Juan Manuel Santos said The Elders are deeply concerned that there is no binding global governance mechanism for AI, and applauded the Pope's call to disarm AI.

Chair of The EldersJuly 2026Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War, Vatican

SourceArchived
Context and checks

Surrounding words

This is why The Elders, the group of independent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela of which I have the honour to be Chair, have dedicated programmes of work on both AI and the nuclear threat. We are deeply concerned that there is currently no binding global governance mechanism for AI. Without effective governance, it will be difficult, impossible, to ensure that AI becomes a force for good, guided by human dignity, responsibility, accountability, and the rule of law. We applaud the Holy Father’s call to disarm AI, and his moral leadership. It is only by acting in a similar spirit that we can hope to tackle all the existential threats facing humanity, and bequeath a peaceful and sustainable world for future generations.

What this quote does not say

  • The phrase 'disarm AI' is endorsed but not operationally defined in this passage.
  • The official page's written remarks have not been audited word-for-word against the recording.

How this was checked

  • Quote located in the captured page; spacing normalised for display.

Reviewed by

an AI reviewer that read the whole source · an automatic character-by-character check