UNITED NATIONS – The General Assembly is set to vote Thursday on what would be the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence, aimed at ensuring that powerful new technologies benefit all nations, while respecting human rights. is and is “safe, secure and reliable”.
The US, which sponsored the resolution, has said it hopes the world body will adopt it by consensus, meaning it will have the support of all 193 UN member states.
US national security adviser Jack Sullivan said the resolution, if passed, would be a “historic step forward” in promoting the safe use of AI.
He said in a statement to The Associated Press in early March that the resolution would “represent global support for a core set of principles for the development and use of AI and how AI systems can best benefit while managing the risks.” It will make way for lifting.” .
The draft resolution aims to bridge the digital divide between rich developed countries and poor developing countries and ensure that they are all at the negotiating table on AI. It also aims to ensure that developing countries have the technology and capabilities to reap the benefits of AI, including detecting diseases, predicting floods, helping farmers, and training the next generation of workers. .
The draft recognizes the rapid pace of AI development and use and emphasizes the “urgent need to achieve global consensus on safe, secure and reliable artificial intelligence systems”.
It also acknowledges that “governance of artificial intelligence systems is an emerging area” that requires further discussion on possible governance approaches.
Big tech companies have generally supported the need to regulate AI, lobbying to ensure that any rules work in their favor.
EU lawmakers on March 13 gave final approval to the world’s first comprehensive AI rules, which are on track to take effect by May or June after some final formalities.
Countries around the world, including the US and China, and the Group of 20 industrialized nations are also moving to develop AI regulations. And the draft resolution notes other UN efforts by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Telecommunication Union to ensure AI is used to benefit the world.
The United States turned to the General Assembly to “have a truly global conversation about how to manage the implications of the rapidly evolving technology of AI,” Sullivan told the AP.
The US draft resolution encourages all countries, regional and international organizations, tech communities, civil society, media, academia, research institutions and individuals to “develop regulatory and governance practices and frameworks” for secure AI systems. Develop and support them”.
It warns against the “improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems, such as without adequate safeguards or in a manner inconsistent with international law”.
According to the draft resolution, a key goal is to use AI to help make progress towards achieving the United Nations’ sorely missed development goals for 2030, including ending global hunger and poverty worldwide. These include improving health, ensuring quality secondary education for all children and gender mainstreaming. Equality
The draft calls on the 193 UN member states and others to help developing countries access the benefits of digital transformation and secure AI systems. It “emphasizes that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems.”
The U.S. began talks with all U.N. member states about three months ago, spending hundreds of hours in direct talks with individual countries and 42 hours in negotiations, and receiving input from 120 countries, a senior U.S. official said. Accepted. The resolution went through several drafts and received unanimous support from all member states last week because he was not authorized to speak publicly, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield told the AP last week that the resolution aims to “build international consensus on a common approach to the design, development, deployment, and use of AI systems, particularly at the United Nations.” Supporting the 2030 Goals.
If adopted, he said, it would be “a historic step in promoting safe, secure and reliable AI around the world.”