UN Creates Global AI Advisory Body to Guide Future of AI Governance

New York, US – An AI Advisory Body was established by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations to help the international community manage and govern Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres emphasized the dual nature of AI, acknowledging its transformative potential for humanity while underscoring the concerns and challenges it presents.

He added that AI can advance crisis prediction, response, public health, and education, helping governments, civil society, and the UN achieve their goals. AI can help developing economies leapfrog obsolete technologies and deliver vital services directly to those in need. In a world full of difficulties, AI is a key enabler and accelerator for addressing global issues like climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals.

However, the Secretary-General also highlighted concerns regarding the responsible and equitable use of AI. He expressed worries about the concentration of AI expertise in a limited number of companies and countries, which could exacerbate global inequalities and digital divides. Additionally, AI raises issues of misinformation, bias, surveillance, privacy invasion, and human rights violations.

Considering these difficulties and potential, Secretary-General Guterres called for a global, interdisciplinary, and multi-stakeholder dialogue on AI governance to maximize benefits and reduce risks. The creation of the AI Advisory Body is a pivotal step in this direction. This body will operate independently, guided by fundamental principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter. It will also consider how to connect with various AI governance initiatives already underway.

The AI Advisory Body is set to work quickly and aims to provide preliminary recommendations in three key areas by the end of 2023: international AI governance, understanding and addressing risks and challenges, and seizing opportunities to use AI in achieving the SDGs.

The establishment of this AI Advisory Body is a significant milestone in the United Nations' efforts to address AI governance and foster responsible and inclusive AI use.

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