The Role of the United Nations in Shaping Artificial Intelligence Governance

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Only a short while ago, the United Nations General Assembly scarcely discussed the subject of artificial intelligence during its annual gathering of global leaders. However, following the launch of ChatGPT last autumn, which intensified both enthusiasm and apprehensions surrounding AI, the technology has emerged as a focal point of discussion at this year’s premier diplomatic event.

Heads of state, prime ministers, monarchs, and senior government officials gathered to contemplate or implement various forms of AI regulation. While leaders of the tech industry concede that some form of oversight is essential, they are keen to safeguard the positive impacts AI could bring. Observers both within and outside of the assembly underline the urgent and potentially disastrous risks posed by AI, asserting that immediate action is necessary.

The United Nations has garnered attention as perhaps the only international forum capable of addressing these complex AI issues at a global scale.

A Rapidly Evolving Dialogue

Compared to 2017, when only three speakers touched upon AI at the General Assembly’s main forum, more than 20 representatives from a diverse array of countries raised the topic this year. Secretary-General António Guterres revealed plans to constitute an advisory board on AI, aiming to produce initial recommendations by the end of the current year—an expedited timeline by U.N. standards.

Various national leaders voiced their concerns. Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Sam Matekane, highlighted threats to privacy and safety. Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal warned against the potential misuse of AI, and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir feared the technology could become an instrument of destruction.

An International Nexus of AI Policy

In recent days, parallel meetings on AI policy have proliferated in New York, sometimes requiring attendees to hurriedly move from one event to another. Tech industry stakeholders also ensured their participation during the U.N.’s eventful week, emphasizing the critical role the international body can play in coordinating these various dialogues.

Balancing Speed with Deliberation

While the United Nations offers the advantages of an inclusive, consensus-building platform, it also faces the challenges associated with a slow-moving bureaucracy. Moreover, the majority of AI development occurs in the private sector, making it an issue that extends beyond governmental control.

An Uncertain Path, but with Significant Potential Benefits

National governments and international blocs like the European Union and the Group of 20 have already initiated their own discussions, summits, and in some cases, regulations. Multiple visions exist for what a global AI governing body could look like: a fact-finding panel similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an oversight body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency, or something entirely different.

The challenge remains how to encourage innovation and positive developments in fields such as healthcare, disaster prediction, and energy efficiency, without perpetuating inequality, disinformation, or other catastrophic risks.

From the perspective of Dr. Rose Nakasi, a Ugandan computer scientist, the benefits of AI are apparent. Her team at Makerere University’s AI Lab is utilizing AI to improve the diagnosis of malaria, especially in rural areas with a scarcity of pathologists. According to her, AI serves as an “enabler” of human activity, and its potential can be maximized with appropriate regulatory frameworks.

In conclusion, as the conversations surrounding AI continue to evolve, the United Nations is increasingly being seen as a crucial platform for fostering international dialogue and governance on this transformative technology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about United Nations and AI Governance

More about United Nations and AI Governance

• United Nations Official Website
• AI Governance and Ethics
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• Global Dialogue on AI
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Makerere University’s AI Lab
• Tech Companies and AI Ethics
• Eurasia Group
• Google’s AI Initiatives