Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, a faculty member at Columbia University and president of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, warns that relying on nuclear deterrence is a reckless gamble with the planet's survival. She argues that history, particularly during the Cold War, proves this concept is far from foolproof. Dr. Hughes highlights the reality of "nuclear colonialism," where indigenous lands in regions like Algeria, the Marshall Islands, and French Polynesia have served as sacrificial testing grounds. She calls on nuclear-armed nations to provide formal apologies, ensure scientific transparency regarding radioactive contamination, and prioritize justice for victims. Furthermore, she warns against the dangers of integrating artificial intelligence into nuclear command systems, advocating for total disarmament as a moral necessity to protect future generations.