August 29, 2026

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo pointed to powerful merits and critical risks of AI, and appealed for the urgent need to create an international treaty aimed at preventing AI risks.

Shii made these remarks during the Q&A session after his lecture on Marx’s “Capital” given at a gathering held in Kyoto City on August 23.

With regard to AI, human control is failing to keep pace with the rapid development of this technology as evidenced by a series of cases in which AI systems have defied human instructions and deceived humans in their actions. In addition, many reports have been released which warn that profit-driven AI could spiral out of control, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Shii explained that Marx thoroughly studied the contours of mechanized, large-scale industry, the cutting-edge technology of his time, and analyzed it from both positive and negative aspects. Stating that to understand both the positive and negative aspects of AI is important, Shii stressed that AI, by moving to replace human intelligence, possesses characteristics qualitatively different from those of previous technological advancements.

Shii, as to the merits of AI, pointed out that this technology has a potential to bring about significant benefits like shorter working hours to humans. Meanwhile, he noted that the capitalist use of AI carries risks, such as job and environmental destruction and use for military purposes. He also pointed out that the chaotic development race under capitalism would cause a more serious risk that even against developers’ supposed benign intentions, human control over AI could be lost.

Shii noted the fact that hundreds of AI researchers, including Nobel laureates in physics, are warning of the risk of “human extinction” caused by AI. He stated, “In order to enable all of humanity to enjoy the benefits of AI, the pressing need is to conclude an international treaty aimed at mitigating and preventing these serious risks.”

Shii pointed out that both risks are the products of capitalism, and added that while urgent action is needed even under capitalism, moving toward socialism on a global scale would make it possible to manage the economy systematically, paving the way for a fundamental solution to this issue.