“Don’t Blame the Robots” – Artificial Intelligence Bias & Implications for
Nuclear Security

Innovation and evolution are critical elements for surety in nuclear security. New threats require innovative approaches to mitigation efforts and emerging technologies are a crucial part of nuclear security infrastructure. But embracing new tools comes with new considerations and risks. Responsible nuclear security practitioners must ask: what happens when the tools for protection begin working against those they are meant to protect? Such is the concern with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for nuclear security. Bias remains a pervasive issue that those in the nuclear security field grapple with. Practitioners in the AI/ML fields face similar ethical quandaries and challenges – with bias being reflected in data, learning trends, and system outputs. These potential implications of bias in AI/ML and nuclear security can pose some benefits and serious concerns for new technology integration into existing systems without due caution. Biased people produce biased products: racial, gender, accessibility, and heteronormativity biases are just a few examples of ways that system designs can unintentionally prejudice a technological system against a particular group of people. Without sufficient safeguards in place, AI/ML systems can reproduce and exacerbate biases in the nuclear security field at every level – from hiring to firing. This paper will examine the issue of bias in nuclear security and new technological systems as separate issues, then explore the potential overlaps to understand how bias can affect implementation of AI/ML technologies in the nuclear security field. In examining the potential risks of bias in implementation of AI/ML being used in nuclear security, potential areas in need of safeguarding will be identified as well as best practices for responsible implementation. Change is inevitable, and embracing new solutions is essential for addressing evolving threats – but new solutions cannot reproduce past mistakes. Mitigating bias in nuclear security is an ongoing process and considering the implications for emerging technologies is only one step towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable solutions.