The General Assembly on Thursday approved the first United Nations (UN) resolution on artificial intelligence (AI), providing global support for an international effort to ensure that powerful new technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is “safe and trustworthy.”
The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted by consensus with a bang of the gavel and without a vote, meaning that It has the support of the 193 member countries of the UN.
The national security advisor of United States, Jake Sullivan, He said earlier this month that the adoption of the resolution will be a “historic step forward” in encouraging the safe use of AI.
The resolution “will represent global support for a core set of principles for the development and use of AI and chart a path to harnessing AI systems for good while managing risks,” he said in a statement to The Associated Press. .
The resolution aims to close the digital divide between rich developed countries and poorer developing countries and ensure that everyone is at the table in discussions on AI. It also aims to ensure that the Developing countries have the technology and capabilities to harness the benefits of AI, including detecting disease, predicting floods, helping farmers and training the next generation of workers.
The resolution recognizes the rapid acceleration in the development and use of AI and underscores “the urgency of achieving a global consensus on safe and reliable artificial intelligence systems.”
It also recognizes that “governance of AI systems is an evolving area” that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches.
Big tech companies have generally supported the need to regulate AI, while pushing to ensure the rules work in their favor.