A Commitment to Sustainable Development and Ethical Governance
In an attempt to address international governance of artificial intelligence (AI), the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, announced the formation of an advisory body composed of 39 experts from various fields. This panel is tasked with exploring the key risks, challenges, and opportunities that AI presents on the global stage, and will issue preliminary recommendations in the near future.
The calling of this panel comes at a time when rapid advances in AI are complicating government efforts to agree on laws governing the use of this technology. For instance, tools like Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT are at the heart of regulatory discussions.
AI has been at the center of many discussions at the UN, particularly regarding how and whether to regulate it. During the recent UN General Assembly, the issue of AI received considerable attention, underscoring the need for a coordinated response to the emerging challenges posed by this technology.
The United Kingdom, for example, has positioned itself as a willing leader in shaping an international response to the rise of AI. In a speech at the UN, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden emphasized his country’s commitment to being at the forefront of AI, highlighting the UK’s tech companies, universities, and other resources.
In another significant development, the US National Security Agency announced the creation of an AI security hub to oversee the development and integration of AI capabilities, emphasizing the strategic importance of AI in national security.
In a historic agreement, the member states of UNESCO adopted a global accord defining common values and principles in the ethics of technology, setting a precedent for global governance of AI.
The UN’s commitment to ethical and effective governance of AI highlights the importance of international collaboration to ensure that AI is used responsibly and for the benefit of all. With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals on the horizon, the UN and the global community are taking proactive steps to ensure that AI contributes positively to sustainable development and global equity.
