UN General Assembly
UN General Assembly champions global standards for AI governance
The upcoming session of the UN General Assembly is poised to delve into the realm of artificial intelligence, with a pivotal resolution on the table.
This resolution, supported by numerous nations, examines both the promising advancements and potential hazards of AI, advocating for the establishment of global standards to govern its development and deployment.
Foremost, the resolution stresses the imperative of crafting guidelines aimed at fostering the creation of AI systems that are not only innovative but also safe, secure, and reliable.
Notably, it excludes the military employment of AI from its scope, underlining a concerted focus on civilian applications.
Propelled by the United States, this resolution is a commitment to harnessing AI for the collective advancement of humanity, particularly in pursuit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield articulates the urgency of this moment, urging member states to seize the opportunities presented by AI while remaining vigilant to its potential pitfalls.
However, amidst the optimism, the resolution acknowledges the dark side of AI, cautioning against its malicious exploitation to undermine human rights and exacerbate societal inequalities. It calls upon nations and stakeholders to refrain from deploying AI systems that flagrantly violate international human rights standards or pose significant risks to human well-being.
Concerns surrounding AI’s misuse, particularly in the realm of generative tools fostering disinformation, have escalated, prompting calls for robust regulatory frameworks.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocates for the establishment of a dedicated UN entity to oversee AI governance, akin to existing bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency. Also, he highlights the pervasive issue of gender bias in AI development, warning against the perpetuation of inequalities in algorithmic decision-making.