The United Nations General Assembly passed a landmark resolution on AI, aiming to promote the safe and ethical development of AI technologies around the world.
The resolution was co-sponsored by over 120 countries and adopted unanimously by all 193 UN member states on March 21. It marks the first time that the UN has established global standards and guidelines on AI.
The eight-page resolution calls for the development of “safe, secure and trustworthy” AI systems that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It urges member states and stakeholders to refrain from deploying AI that is inconsistent with international human rights law.
The main points of the resolution are as follows:
- Raising public awareness about the benefits and risks of AI
- Invest in AI R&D and strengthen capabilities
- Protecting privacy and ensuring transparency in AI systems
- Addressing diversity and bias in AI datasets and algorithms
The resolution also encourages governments to develop national policies, safeguards and standards for the ethical development and use of AI, and calls on UN agencies to provide technical assistance to countries in need.
“The resolution adopted today provides a comprehensive vision for how nations should respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“This document outlines a path forward for international cooperation on AI, including promoting equitable access, managing the risks of AI, protecting privacy, preventing misuse, and preventing the exacerbation of bias and discrimination.”
Expanding international efforts to regulate AI
The UN resolution follows several international efforts to regulate the fast-growing AI industry over ethical and safety concerns.
The European Union recently approved an AI bill that would set risk-based rules on AI across the 27-nation bloc, and has also launched investigations into major technology companies over potential antitrust issues surrounding AI.
In the United States, President Biden signed an executive order last year launching a national AI strategy with a focus on safety and security.
As AI capabilities advance, the UN resolution signals a global effort to ensure that the development of the technology is aligned with ethical principles and benefits humanity as a whole.
“The resolution, crafted in consultation with civil society and private sector experts, addresses head on the priorities of many developing countries, including encouraging AI capacity building and leveraging the technology to advance sustainable development,” Sullivan explained.
“Importantly, this resolution makes clear that the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be at the heart of the development and use of AI systems.”
The full text of the UN resolution can be found here: here.
(Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG)
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