On March 21, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed its first resolution on artificial intelligence, marking a significant commitment to safe and trustworthy AI development for global progress. Led by the United States and backed by 123 countries, the resolution emphasizes the need for regulations to reduce AI risks and ensure its benefits are shared equitably. U.S.
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About the authors:
Seiko Okada, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Christian E. Mammen
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In a landmark move, the United Nations General Assembly made history on March 21, 2024, by unanimously adopting its first resolution dedicated to artificial intelligence. This resolution aims to champion the development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems to foster sustainable development worldwide. The significance of this action lies in the recognition that regulating AI is paramount to mitigating risks while ensuring that all nations benefit from the advancements of reliable AI technologies.
The resolution, led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 member states, underscores the responsibility of the international community to steer AI development through a lens of humanity, dignity, safety, security, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, emphasized the imperative to govern AI rather than be governed by it, advocating for a human-centric approach to AI deployment.
The UN resolution highlights the importance of developing and utilizing AI in ways that prioritize human-centric values and privacy preservation. It calls for robust international collaboration to ensure inclusive and equitable access to AI technologies across all nations. By recognizing AI's potential to address global challenges and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the resolution emphasizes the pivotal role of AI in fostering economic, social, and environmental sustainability on a global scale.
The resolution urges member states and stakeholders to collaborate in several key areas such as:
Developing regulatory frameworks for the safe and trustworthy use of AI.
Bridging digital divides between countries to ensure equitable access to AI technologies.
Rejecting AI systems that violate international human rights standards or pose significant risks.
Cultivating an innovative environment that leverages AI to tackle pressing global challenges.
Sharing best practices on data governance to facilitate the flow of trustworthy AI systems across borders.
The adoption of the UN resolution coincided with the European Parliament's approval of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act on March 13, 2024, which we discussed in last Thursday's episode. This comprehensive legal framework sets a new standard for AI regulation globally and aligns closely with the principles advocated in the UN resolution. Additionally, the United States has taken significant steps towards AI governance, exemplified by the Executive Order issued on October 30, 2023, and the establishment of the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium under the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
As the world enters a new era of AI governance, collaborative efforts at both the international and national levels are crucial to ensure the responsible and ethical development of AI technologies. By embracing the principles outlined in the UN resolution, nations can work together to harness the transformative power of AI for sustainable development, while upholding human rights, privacy, and societal well-being.
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