United Nations Secretary -General António Guterres on Friday urged governments and technology companies to work together to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits all countries.
During the opening of the World Conference on Artificial Intelligence, held in Shanghai, Guterres stated that this technology represents "humanity's greatest opportunity in the 21st century ," but warned that it could also become "one of its greatest risks" without international cooperation.
“The technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all of humanity,” he argued. In that regard, he insisted that the governance of artificial intelligence “cannot be in the hands of a handful of countries or companies” and that “all nations must have a seat at the table . ”
From commitments to action
The Secretary-General recalled that, during the past year, the UN has strengthened its work to establish global governance of artificial intelligence following the adoption of the Digital Global Compact and the creation of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence , endorsed by the General Assembly.
He also highlighted the celebration, in early July in Geneva, of the first session of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, which brought together governments and other actors to hold open, transparent and inclusive talks on the development of this technology.
These initiatives seek to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, promote common standards, and ensure that developing countries have a greater role in decisions about the future of artificial intelligence.
Guterres stated that the next stage should focus on turning those commitments into concrete support , so that all countries can take advantage of the rapid development of this technology.
Preventing inequalities from increasing
The Secretary-General noted that artificial intelligence has enormous potential to accelerate medical advances, transform education, strengthen food systems and create jobs, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
However, he warned that many developing countries risk falling behind.
“A third of humanity still lacks internet access ,” he noted, adding that computing power, technical expertise, and investment remain concentrated in a small number of countries and companies.
If these differences are not reduced, artificial intelligence could generate "greater inequalities, greater gaps in income, opportunities and security".
To help close that gap, he explained that more than twenty countries, including China, have already proposed centers to integrate a Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation for Capacity Building in Artificial Intelligence , promoted by the United Nations.
In addition, he announced that he will soon present recommendations for creating a Global Fund for Artificial Intelligence and invited governments to support both initiatives.
Three priorities for the future
Guterres outlined three priorities to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits everyone: strengthening the capabilities of developing countries, establishing international safety standards, and making this technology environmentally sustainable.
He explained that developing countries must have the necessary tools to create artificial intelligence systems using their own data, languages and knowledge, while governments should adopt common criteria to assess risks and conduct tests, always in accordance with international law.
“ Human rights must be protected ,” he stated. He also emphasized that “human beings must maintain control over all life-or-death decisions” and that “no artificial intelligence system should be placed in the hands of a child until it has been proven safe . ”
On environmental matters, he called on major companies in the sector to report on the environmental footprint of their systems and to power their operations with renewable energy by 2030. He also urged governments to incorporate clean energy for artificial intelligence into their national plans.
“The crucial question,” he concluded, “is whether this transformation will reduce inequalities or reinforce them; whether it will concentrate power or expand opportunities.”