The United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on AI, aimed at promoting the safe and ethical development of AI technologies around the world.
This resolution was co-sponsored by more than 120 countries and was adopted unanimously by 193 United Nations member states on March 21st. This is the first time the United Nations has established global standards and guidelines for AI.
The eight-page resolution calls for the development of “safe, secure and reliable” AI systems that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It urges member states and stakeholders to refrain from introducing AI that violates international human rights law.
The main aspects of the solution are:
- Increasing public awareness of the benefits and risks of AI
- Strengthen AI R&D investments and capabilities
- Protecting privacy and ensuring transparency in AI systems
- Addressing issues of 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. It calls on UN agencies to provide technical assistance to countries in need.
“The resolutions adopted today provide a comprehensive vision for how countries should respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI,” said Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor.
“This charts the path for international cooperation on AI, including promoting fair access, managing AI risks, protecting privacy, preventing abuse, and preventing the exacerbation of bias and discrimination.”
Expanding international efforts to regulate AI
The UN resolution follows several international efforts to regulate the rapidly growing AI industry due to ethical and security concerns.
The European Union recently approved the AI Act, which sets risk-based rules for AI across the 27-nation bloc. Investigations into potential antitrust issues related to AI have also been launched against major technology companies.
In the United States, President Biden last year signed an executive order launching a national AI strategy focused on safety and security.
As AI capabilities advance, the United Nations resolution demonstrates a global commitment to ensuring that the development of technology is in line with ethical principles and benefits humanity as a whole.
“This resolution, developed in consultation with civil society and private sector experts, supports many developing countries, including encouraging AI capacity building and leveraging technology to promote sustainable development. We address our priorities head on,” 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.”
You can read the full text of the UN resolution here here.
(Photo courtesy of Ilyass SEDDOUG)
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