Nato warns of WW3 ‘hyper war’ after constant cyber attacks from North Korea, China and Russia

THE world is being pushed to the brink of "hyper war" by the growing threat from China and Russia, constant cyber attacks and artificial intelligence, Nato has warned.

And the chances of the West winning such a high-tech global conflict are shrinking, generals said in a bombshell report.

North Korea's nukes are also a potential trigger for World War Three, according to the latest edition of Nato's four-yearly risk report.

It says the allies cannot afford to fall behind in the AI arms race - both in terms of cyber warfare and future robot soldiers.

The generals write: “Critically, Nato must gain a far better understanding of the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and data mining, together with their defence applications.

“Artificial intelligence, deep learning, machine learning, computer vision, neuro-linguistic programming, virtual reality, and augmented reality are all part of the future battle space.

“They are all underpinned by potential advances in quantum computing that will create a conflict environment in which the decision-action loop will compress dramatically from days and hours to minutes and seconds …or even less.”

The authors describe this advance in computer technology as “the most revolutionary changes in conflict since the advent of atomic weaponry.”

The terrifying prospect of computers making life-or-death decisions in battle was identified among 20 threats to global peace and security up to the year 2035.

They include the growing military strength and ambitions of China and Russia.

It is feared Moscow - which spends twice as much as the UK on defence - could launch a new Cold War using espionage and cyber warfare to destabilise its adversaries while building its empire.

And China is seen as probably more advanced than even the US in hyper warfare techniques.

The report warned terrorist networks could expand thanks to the global nature of cyberspace, and says Nato must ensure its military hardware cannot be crippled by hackers.

Growing inequality, natural disasters, poorly integrated Muslim communities in Europe and "reactionary nativist movements" are also identified as risk factors in potential civil unrest.

General Denis Mercier, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander of Transformation, said the report showed a higher risk of major war than four years ago.

He told Reuters: "We see a considerable increase in the risk of a major interstate conflict.

"Having a global awareness is more necessary than before. We have to be ready for any kind of scenario."

He added: "In Nato, we are under permanent attack in cyber." He said the alliance had proved "quite good" at protecting itself thus far, but needed to remain vigilant.

Yesterday North Korea's Kim Jong-un boasted he has the world in his sights after test firing a missile he claims can hit anywhere on Earth.

Earlier this month we reported the US military rates Beijing a bigger threat than Pyongyang after Chinese jets rehearsed bombing raids in Guam.

And in September Russia conducted huge drills said to be preparation for a "big war" against Nato.

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