Renowned physicist and Nobel laureate David Gross has issued a stark warning about the escalating risks of nuclear conflict while advocating for urgent global dialogue and scientific collaboration to mitigate existential threats. Speaking to China Global Television Network during the 2025 International Congress of Basic Science in Beijing, Gross stressed that preventing catastrophic outcomes requires coordinated efforts among nations, particularly nuclear-armed powers.
The American scientist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 for his contributions to quantum field theory, underscored the unprecedented destructive power of modern nuclear arsenals. “For 80 years, nuclear weapons have not been used to kill people,” he noted, “but major powers—including my country, Russia, and others—have continued refining these systems.” He singled out China, the U.S., and Russia as pivotal players capable of initiating critical discussions to reduce tensions. However, he cautioned that progress hinges on public awareness: “Leaders already understand the dangers. It’s essential for global citizens to recognize these risks and demand action.”
Gross positioned scientists as vital intermediaries in easing geopolitical strife, citing the concept of “scientific diplomacy.” He emphasized that researchers, bound by shared intellectual pursuits, often transcend political divides. “Scientists with international ties have long hoped to act as bridges between nations,” he said, arguing that their role in fostering trust could help defuse adversarial relations.
The physicist also criticized mounting barriers to transnational scientific collaboration, describing restrictions driven by industrial secrecy and military interests as counterproductive. “Science thrives on open debate and evidence—not power or superstition,” he stated. Highlighting the universality of scientific principles, he warned that isolating researchers stifles innovation and exacerbates global discord. “When collaboration falters, both knowledge and international harmony suffer,” he added, noting that breakthroughs in fields like climate science and pandemic response rely on cross-border cooperation.
Gross’s remarks come amid heightened nuclear tensions globally, with recent arms control agreements eroding and modernization programs advancing in several nations. Analysts have repeatedly flagged the growing risk of miscalculation, particularly in conflict hotspots. Meanwhile, academic and technical exchanges between rival states have faced setbacks due to export controls, visa restrictions, and intellectual property disputes.
The congress where Gross spoke, attended by over 3,000 researchers from 85 countries, focused on themes ranging from artificial intelligence to astrophysics. Its location in Beijing underscores China’s expanding influence in global science—a domain increasingly entangled with strategic competition. Gross’s advocacy for disentangling scientific progress from geopolitical rivalries resonates with broader calls to preserve international research networks as pillars of stability.
While acknowledging the complexity of balancing national security and open inquiry, Gross maintained that humanity’s survival depends on prioritizing collective security over short-term interests. “The laws of physics apply universally,” he said. “Our shared challenges demand shared solutions.” His appeal reflects a growing consensus among scientific leaders that curbing existential risks requires reimagining diplomacy through the lens of common knowledge and mutual vulnerability.
