Thought Memo No. 48 – Peace or War? Human Ethics for Artificial Intelligence
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends of peace,
At the world-renowned Hannover Messe, German defense companies exhibited innovative production technologies “to support the security and defense industry.” Peace activists, scientists, and religious representatives have been warning for years about the danger of war posed by new automated weapon systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Instead of arms shows, we need a social dialogue that places AI within the framework of human ethics.
AI is in the process of changing the world: science, economy, geopolitics. The topic also plays a role at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), but with a one-sided focus on military and criminal use. The side event “From Cyberwar to Cyberpeace” proposed by MSKverändern, which addressed the ethical dimensions and peace-promoting potential of AI, was unfortunately not taken up by the conference management.
While AI is analyzed in the context of warfare and the digital competition between great powers, a link to insights from peace ethics, philosophy, and theology has been missing so far. There is also a lack of consideration for perspectives from the Global South. When one considers the global destructive potential of AI and its military and criminal use, this deficit is not just a blind spot, but a veritable security risk.
An intensive dialogue on ethical questions regarding AI would be important—between North, South, East, and West, and between politics, technology, ethics, and religious communities. In this regard, I was impressed by the Vatican’s sober and well-founded analysis: the role of human decisions in AI-supported warfare and the enormous AI resource consumption of energy and water are presented and weighed here (Antiqua et Nova, January 2025).
Experts compare the historical-transformative significance of AI to the invention of the atomic bomb. I call for spending not only vast sums on the military use of AI, but also investing in the peace-building potential of AI, e.g., in education, medicine, ecology, and development cooperation. For AI, too, the following must apply: less readiness for war, more capacity for peace!
And what are your thoughts on “Alexa, ChatGPT and Co.” at the MSC?
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Bender
Peter Bender is a political scientist and theologian and a member of the board of Religions for Peace
Germany e.V. He regularly participates in the dialogue between MSKverändern and the
Munich Security Conference.
MSKverändern Members’ Meeting 2026
On March 1, 2026, the annual members’ meeting of the association took place in the community center of the Erlöserkirche in Munich-Schwabing.
Dr. Thomas Mohr, Chairman of the project group, chaired the meeting and, following his welcome, outlined the key topics of the event:
- organizational structure of the association
- definition of thematic priorities
- recruitment of new members and supporters
- finances
In addition, the board was elected:
Dr. Thomas Mohr remains the Chairman of the association.
Katharina Rottmayr-Czerny and Matthias Linnemann were also confirmed in their positions.
The association wishes the board great success in their continued work!
Observer Reports MSC 2026
This year, Dr. Inga Blum / IPPNW and Natalia Jagolski / Leiden University visited the Munich Security Conference for MSKv. Here are their interesting reports:
Observer Report Natalia Jagolski
In addition to intensive networking, the two MSC observers were able to use their conference visit to generate media attention:
Inga Blum contributed with a statement on nuclear weapons to the panel discussion “Under Reconstruction: A World Order for the Next Generation.”
Panel Discussion A World Order for the Next Generation
(the statement can be viewed from minute 25:00)
Inga Blum has also prepared a conference report for the organization “International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War” (IPPNW):
Arms over norms: Military budgets given priority at security conference
Natalia Jagolski was approached by BBC News for an interview during the conference. For legal reasons, we are unfortunately unable to show this interview.
Thomas Mohr (Chairman MSKv) and Christoph Steinbrink (also MSKv) were interviewed by Radio Lora München. The focus was primarily on the question of whether the MSC and military strength actually contribute to greater security, and whether it is possible to exert influence on the conference. Inga Blum and Natalia Jagolski also have their say in this piece: What was discussed at the non-public MSC events? To what extent is a war scenario in 2029 being assumed? What role do diplomatic means play? And what about human security and the younger generation? The interview was conducted by Kevin Kaisig (Nord Süd Forum München e.V. – for a world of solidarity). Here is the link to the interview:
Eine-Welt-Report: The MSC 2026 – Dancing on a Volcano?
The daily newspaper “nd” reported extensively on the activities of MSKv in its article on the MSC 2026. Dr. Thomas Mohr and Dr. Inga Blum were quoted, and Natalia Jagolski was mentioned by name. Here is the link to the article:
Is the “Arms Bazaar” Reformable?
Note on the paywall: “nd” is among the financially struggling newspapers. If desired, the article can still be read free of charge. In addition to the standard subscriptions at “nd,” there is also the option to make a one-time payment.