UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the establishment of guardrails in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) that are firmly grounded in human rights, transparency, and accountability.
Guterres spoke this on Thursday while addressing global leaders and industry experts at the “AI for Good” Global Summit organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
“The development of artificial intelligence, or AI, ‘for the good of all’ requires guardrails grounded in human rights, transparency, and accountability.” Guterres declared.
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He emphasized the urgent need for AI to benefit everyone, including the third of humanity who are still offline, and called for immediate consensus on the guiding norms for AI deployment.
AI’s powerful tools could drive forward the #GlobalGoals.
But we must urgently find consensus around essential guardrails to govern the development & deployment of AI for the good of all. pic.twitter.com/PdP8g9Eac8
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 6, 2023
The “AI for Good” Global Summit has gathered governments, civil society representatives, UN agencies, AI innovators, and investors to explore the ways in which AI can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin echoed Guterres’s sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of global cooperation to unlock the full potential of AI while mitigating potential harms.
“We need to ensure AI reaches its full potential, while preventing and mitigating harms,” she affirmed.
As the world approaches the mid-point towards the deadline for achieving the SDGs, Bogdan-Martin emphasized the critical role of AI in accelerating progress, stating, “Using AI to accelerate progress is now our responsibility.”
However, she also cautioned about the potential risks associated with AI, highlighting the possibility of a dystopian future.
Bogdan-Martin raised concerns about AI’s potential to destroy jobs, fuel the uncontrolled spread of disinformation, and perpetuate inequalities, warning that only wealthy nations could reap its benefits.
Earlier this year, UN human rights chief Volker Türk issued a similar warning, emphasizing the need to anchor AI’s development in human rights considerations.
“Human agency, human dignity, and all human rights are at serious risk,” Türk stated, urging governments and businesses to prioritize human rights in the development and deployment of AI.
The “AI for Good” Global Summit provides a platform for discussions on AI governance, responsible deployment, and leveraging AI’s potential for the betterment of society.
Over 50 robots are being showcased in the “Robotics for Good” exhibition, demonstrating their ability to support healthcare, education, waste reduction, and disaster response efforts.
The summit continues to foster collaboration and dialogue among global stakeholders, aiming to ensure that the future of AI is written with inclusivity, safety, and responsible deployment as guiding principles.
