World War 3 will start by one of three ways – all involving Russia, artificial intelligence has claimed. For months (years?) the world has been on the brink of all-out war, thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, his threats of nuclear war on his enemies, a link-up with North Korea and the threats of Iran to pretty much everyone within earshot.

However, while many would have thought Iran, accompanied by the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas terrorists would be the spark that lights the WW3 fuse, Google's AI-powered large language model called Gemini has claimed that that will have nothing to do with it.

When asked by the Daily Star how World War 3 could start, it stated one of three ways – Escalation in the Korean Peninsula, Russian involvement, and the global response. It also claimed there are three further ways, all of which are less likely, including a direct attack from Russia and North Korea on another major power, a “miscalculation” or nuclear threat.

Either way, Gemini claimed that the UK wouldn't do much other than try and keep the peace, sanction Russia and maybe provide military intelligence.

However, it said: “In any of these scenarios, the war could escalate quickly and involve other countries. For example, if the United States and China went to war, it is likely that Russia would support China. If Russia and NATO went to war, it is likely that the United States would support NATO.

“The consequences of a third world war would be devastating. Millions of people could be killed, and the global economy could be severely damaged. It is important to do everything possible to prevent a third world war from happening.

“While both North Korea and Russia possess nuclear weapons, the likelihood of either escalating a conflict to a nuclear level is a complex issue with many factors at play.”

The nuclear factors are:

North Korea:

• “Unpredictable leadership: North Korea's leadership has shown unpredictable behavior and a willingness to take risks.”

• “Nuclear program as a deterrent: North Korea has developed nuclear weapons primarily as a deterrent against potential invasions.”

• “Limited delivery capabilities: While North Korea has made progress in its missile technology, its ability to deliver nuclear weapons reliably remains uncertain.”

Russia:

• “Established nuclear power: Russia is a major nuclear power with a sophisticated nuclear arsenal and delivery systems.”

• “Strategic doctrine: Russia's nuclear doctrine emphasizes the use of nuclear weapons as a last resort, but it also allows for a first strike in certain circumstances.”

• “Cautious approach: Despite its nuclear capabilities, Russia has generally been cautious in its use of military force, particularly in situations that could escalate to a nuclear conflict.”

Gemini added: “Ultimately, the decision to use nuclear weapons would depend on a variety of factors, including the specific circumstances of the conflict, the perceived threat to national security, and the political and military leadership of each country.

“It's important to note that any use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences for all involved. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise diplomatic solutions and de-escalation efforts to prevent such a devastating scenario.”

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