The United Nations telecommunications agency kicked off its annual AI for Good conference in Geneva, aiming to explore the positive impacts of artificial intelligence across various sectors while addressing potential risks. With key industry leaders and officials in attendance, discussions will centre on harnessing AI’s potential in areas like healthcare, education, and sustainable development, emphasising the importance of regulations for ensuring ethical and secure AI deployment.
Annual AI for Good Conference Opens in Geneva
The United Nations telecommunications agency initiated its annual AI for Good conference in Geneva on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The event aims to guide businesses, consumers, and governments on harnessing the potential benefits of artificial intelligence while minimizing the associated risks.
Notable attendees include OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose company developed the widely known AI program ChatGPT. The conference will cover a wide range of AI applications, from robotics and medicine to education and sustainable development.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted AI’s transformative capabilities in sectors like education and healthcare, especially in remote areas, as well as its potential for increasing crop yields and providing early warning systems for natural disasters. However, he emphasized the need for regulations to mitigate risks such as bias, misinformation, and security threats.
The recent surge in AI-driven technologies, notably since the public debut of ChatGPT 18 months ago, has prompted significant competition among tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Despite its prominence, OpenAI has faced scrutiny over its AI safety practices, with concerns about the potential for AI to facilitate the spread of disinformation.
The conference will discuss these opportunities and challenges over its two-day duration, aiming to foster international cooperation in the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
