The United Nations General Assembly has achieved a significant milestone by unanimously adopting what is being hailed as the first global resolution on artificial intelligence (AI). This historic resolution seeks to ensure the protection of personal data, enhance privacy policies, closely monitor AI for potential risks, and uphold human rights. The proposal, originally put forward by the United States with support from China and 121 other countries, aims to establish international guardrails for the ethical and sustainable development of AI.
Although the resolution is nonbinding and lacks enforceable power, it has garnered broad support within the AI industry. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith expressed full support for the adoption, stating that it represents a critical step towards harnessing AI in a manner that serves the needs of everyone.
Titled “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development,” the resolution emerged after three months of negotiation and has been hailed as a testament to international cooperation. In the rapidly changing landscape of technology, the importance of steering by shared values cannot be overstated, as highlighted by a senior US administration official. This groundbreaking document represents the first-ever global consensus on AI.
It is worth noting that the adoption by consensus at the UN does not imply unanimous agreement on every element of the resolution. Member States may still have reservations about specific parts of the text. However, the consensus reached signifies a unified commitment to addressing the risks associated with the irresponsible or malicious use of AI systems, with potential consequences for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
This landmark agreement joins a series of efforts by governments worldwide to shape the trajectory of AI development. The resolution comes in the wake of the launch of influential AI models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, which generated substantial excitement and raised concerns about the impact of AI on democratic processes, fraud, and job displacement.
During the negotiation process, resistance from countries such as Russia and China was expected, leading to heated conversations. However, successful engagement with these nations and others usually at odds with the US culminated in a draft resolution that strikes a delicate balance between promoting development and safeguarding human rights.
While this UN resolution may be the first to involve participation from every UN country, it is not the first international agreement on AI. The Bletchley Declaration, signed by 28 nations attending the UK’s first AI Summit in November, holds the distinction of being the first multi-state agreement. Additionally, in November, the US, Britain, and other nations unveiled an agreement focusing on developing AI systems that prioritize being “secure by design” to prevent misuse by rogue actors. Europe is also making progress with provisional agreements to regulate AI and is on the cusp of implementing comprehensive AI regulations.
Meanwhile, the US government is grappling with finding a consensus on legislative action related to AI regulation. The Biden administration advocates for measures that mitigate AI risks while bolstering national security.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the AI resolution adopted by the United Nations?
The AI resolution aims to foster the protection of personal data, enhance privacy policies, ensure close monitoring of AI for potential risks, and uphold human rights in the development of AI technologies.
Is the resolution enforceable?
No, the resolution is nonbinding and lacks enforceable power. However, it represents a significant milestone in establishing international guidelines for ethical and sustainable AI development.
What are some concerns addressed by the resolution?
The resolution seeks to address the risks associated with the irresponsible or malicious use of AI systems, which could potentially jeopardize human rights, democratic processes, and contribute to significant job displacement.
Are there existing international agreements on AI?
Yes, prior to this UN resolution, the Bletchley Declaration signed in November by 28 nations attending the UK’s first AI Summit was the first multi-state international AI agreement. Furthermore, the US, Britain, and other countries unveiled an agreement focusing on developing AI systems that are “secure by design” to safeguard against misuse.
What is the status of AI regulation globally?
Europe is progressing towards implementing comprehensive AI regulations, while the US government is still in the process of finding consensus on legislative action related to AI regulation. The Biden administration advocates for measures that mitigate AI risks while prioritizing national security.
(Sources: Reuters, [Link to source])
The adoption of the first global resolution on artificial intelligence (AI) by the United Nations General Assembly is a significant milestone for the AI industry. The resolution focuses on protecting personal data, enhancing privacy policies, monitoring AI for risks, and upholding human rights. Although it is nonbinding, it has gained broad support within the industry.
The resolution, titled “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development,” emerged after three months of negotiation and is seen as a testament to international cooperation. It represents the first-ever global consensus on AI and highlights the importance of steering AI development by shared values.
While the resolution was adopted by consensus, it does not imply unanimous agreement on every element. Member States may still have reservations about specific parts of the text. However, the consensus reached signifies a commitment to addressing the risks associated with the irresponsible or malicious use of AI systems.
This landmark agreement is part of a series of efforts by governments worldwide to shape the trajectory of AI development. It comes in response to the launch of influential AI models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, which have generated excitement while raising concerns about the impact of AI on democratic processes, fraud, and job displacement.
During the negotiation process, there was expected resistance from countries like Russia and China. However, successful engagement with these nations and others has resulted in a draft resolution that strikes a balance between promoting development and safeguarding human rights.
While this UN resolution is the first to involve participation from every UN country, it is not the first international agreement on AI. The Bletchley Declaration, signed by 28 nations attending the UK’s first AI Summit, was the first multi-state agreement. In addition, the US, Britain, and other countries have unveiled an agreement focusing on developing AI systems that prioritize being “secure by design” to prevent misuse.
As for global AI regulation, Europe is making progress with provisional agreements to regulate AI and is on the verge of implementing comprehensive AI regulations. In contrast, the US government is still navigating the process of finding consensus on legislative action related to AI regulation. The Biden administration supports measures that mitigate AI risks while prioritizing national security.
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– Reuters (Source)
The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw