Seoul – In a keynote address at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Seoul Summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgent need for global cooperation and regulation in AI development. The summit, convened by the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, highlighted the rapid advancements in AI technology and the corresponding risks these pose to society.
“Less than seven months after our meeting in Bletchley Park, we are seeing life-changing technological advances and life-threatening new risks,” Guterres stated. He pointed to issues such as disinformation, mass surveillance, and the potential deployment of lethal autonomous weapons as critical concerns. The Secretary-General emphasized that AI systems are often deployed with minimal oversight, raising the specter of a dystopian future where AI’s power could be controlled by a few or by inscrutable algorithms.
Guterres outlined a four-point strategy to establish robust global AI governance:
- International Scientific Panel on AI: He proposed the creation of this panel to guide policymakers with accurate and comprehensive knowledge, helping them navigate the complexities of AI technology.
- Structured Dialogue on AI Governance: Guterres called for regular, organized discussions on AI governance, linking national, regional, and industry initiatives to share best practices and harmonize efforts.
- Common AI Ethics and Standards: He stressed the importance of developing universal AI ethics and standards to reduce bias, prevent discrimination, and protect human rights and dignity. Harmonized standards are particularly crucial for startups in developing countries.
- Global Financial Commitments: The Secretary-General highlighted the need for financial support to help developing countries build their AI capabilities and participate in AI governance, ensuring the digital divide does not transform into an AI divide.
Guterres also announced the potential establishment of a United Nations AI Office, a light structure aimed at coordinating international efforts in AI governance. He welcomed recent resolutions by the UN General Assembly, including one from the United States promoting safe AI systems and another from China focused on AI capacity-building, currently under discussion.
The upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future in September presents a significant opportunity to lay the groundwork for global AI governance. The Global Digital Compact, to be adopted at the summit, will include concrete proposals for international AI cooperation.
“AI can save lives, create jobs, foster progress, and contribute to an innovative and inclusive future,” Guterres affirmed. “Let us build innovative and inclusive global governance tools for AI, with human rights, human dignity, and human agency at the center.”
The Secretary-General’s address serves as a call to action for the international community to collaborate on creating a safe, equitable, and transparent AI ecosystem, ensuring that the benefits of AI are universally accessible while mitigating its risks.
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