From catalysing a new Industrial Revolution to threatening human extinction, artificial intelligence has been a recurrent theme in science fiction. Alternatingly a remedy for all ills and a harbinger of a gloomy future, rapid developments in AI have fuelled a sense of urgency within the international community, resolute to harness its promises and mitigate its risks. Embracing the centrality of storytelling in navigating innovation and thanks to the generous financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Office for Disarmament Affairs launched the “Sci-fAI Futures” Youth Challenge to spark young people’s interest and imagination on how AI can affect international peace and security, particularly in the military domain.

In this podcast, we listen to first prize winner, Jord Nguyen, read his story, set in two different eras. Entitled “The Interviewee, the Email, and the Three-Hour War”, it imagines one possible scenario, demonstrating the dangerous capabilities of AI models and warning about neglected governance.