Experts from the UN highlight the necessity for international collaboration to address the risks of artificial intelligence, cautioning against a solely market-driven approach that could marginalise developing nations.
UN Experts Warn Against Market-Driven AI Development Amid Global Concerns
Geneva, September 14, 2023 – Experts convened by the United Nations have issued a stark warning about the future direction of artificial intelligence (AI) development, emphasising the need for comprehensive global cooperation. The panel, established by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in October, has released a report highlighting the risks of allowing market forces to solely dictate the course of AI technology.
This panel, consisting of around 40 experts from the fields of technology, law, and data protection, deliberately refrained from suggesting the creation of a robust global governing body to oversee AI’s evolution. However, they underscored the pressing need for international collaboration to mitigate AI’s risks, which include biases, misuse, and overreliance.
The timing of the report is significant, coming just days before the high-profile Summit of the Future. The report criticises the current lack of global AI governance and the marginalisation of developing countries in discussions about AI’s trajectory. It notes that out of the UN’s 193 member states, a mere seven participate in major AI initiatives, while 118 countries, primarily from the global south, are entirely excluded.
“There is, today, a global governance deficit with respect to AI,” the experts warn, noting the inherently cross-border nature of the technology. UN Secretary-General Guterres reinforced this by stating, “AI must serve humanity equitably and safely. Left unchecked, the dangers posed by artificial intelligence could have serious implications for democracy, peace, and stability.”
In their recommendations, the experts advocate for the establishment of a group of scientific experts on AI, modelled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This panel would keep the international community informed about emerging risks, identifying research needs, and exploring how AI could be harnessed to address global issues like hunger, poverty, and gender inequality.
The proposal for this expert group is included in the draft Global Digital Compact, which is still under discussion and expected to be adopted at the upcoming Summit of the Future. The report supports a “light-touch” coordination structure within the UN secretariat, a more measured approach than creating an international governance body similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The report acknowledges the rapid pace of AI development, suggesting that it would be futile to list comprehensively the dangers posed by the technology. However, it highlights specific perils, such as the impact of disinformation on democracy, the realism of deepfakes, and the potential misuse of AI in autonomous weapons and by criminal and terrorist groups.
Given AI’s speed, autonomy, and complexity, the report warns that waiting for threats to emerge might result in responses coming too late. It calls for continuous scientific assessments and policy dialogues to ensure timely interventions.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General has urged member nations to unite and endorse a comprehensive blueprint to tackle global challenges, including conflicts, climate change, and AI governance. During a press conference on Wednesday, Guterres stressed that failure to achieve consensus on the Pact of the Future among all 193 UN member nations “would be tragic.”
The summit will convene on Sunday and Monday, immediately preceding the annual high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly. Negotiations on the 30-page Pact of the Future, now in its fourth revision, have been ongoing for months. Guterres emphasised that, unlike previous declarations that outlined needs, this summit focuses on implementing solutions, necessitating reforms of global institutions established post-World War II.
The draft Pact underscores the current global transformation and the rising catastrophic risks that threaten to plunge populations into persistent crises. It outlines 51 actions aimed at eradicating poverty, combating climate change, achieving gender equality, promoting peace, and protecting civilians, alongside reinvigorating the multilateral system.
Guterres highlighted potential breakthroughs in the pact, including significant language on Security Council reform and measures to govern new technologies, including AI. Additionally, the pact aims to reform international financial institutions and multiply resources for developing countries to meet UN development goals by 2030.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed optimism about the summit’s potential impact, despite noting that major differences remain. While Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other nations have objections regarding certain issues in the pact, she remains hopeful for a positive outcome.
As discussions continue, the global community watches closely, recognising the urgent need for a balanced approach to the governance of artificial intelligence and other pressing global challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services
