On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first global resolution on artificial intelligence.
The resolution encourages countries to safeguard human rights, protect personal data and monitor AI risks.
The non-binding resolution, proposed by the United States and co-sponsored by China and more than 120 other countries, also calls for strengthening privacy policies.
“Today, the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly spoke with one voice and chose together to govern artificial intelligence rather than letting it govern us,” declared the American ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
This resolution is the latest in a series of initiatives – few of which are effective – launched by governments around the world to shape the development of AI. There are fears that it could be used to disrupt democratic processes, fuel fraud or lead to dramatic job losses, among other harms.
The measure states: “The inappropriate or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems pose risks that could harm the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. »
In November, the United States, Britain and more than a dozen other countries unveiled the first detailed international agreement on how to protect AI from malicious actors, pushing companies to create systems of AI “secure by design”.
Europe is ahead of the United States, with European lawmakers this month passing a tentative deal to oversee the technology.
The Biden administration has pressured lawmakers to regulate AI, but a polarized U.S. Congress has made little progress.
Meanwhile, the White House sought to reduce AI risks for consumers, workers and minorities while strengthening national security with a new executive order in October.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the resolution took nearly four months to negotiate, but it gave the world “a set of basic principles to guide the next steps in development and ‘use of AI’.
Asked Wednesday whether negotiators encountered resistance from Russia or China, senior administration officials said there had been “many lively conversations” but that the administration was was actively engaged with countries with which it had different views.
Like governments around the world, Chinese and Russian officials are eagerly exploring the use of AI tools for a variety of purposes. Last month, Microsoft said it had caught hackers from both countries using Microsoft-backed OpenAI software to hone their espionage skills.
In response to Microsoft’s report, China said it opposed what it called unfounded accusations, while Russia did not respond to a request for comment.
Source: Writing
