09/19/2024 – 6:26
The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the associated risks cannot depend on the “whims” of the market, UN experts warned on Thursday (19), who advocate the adoption of international cooperation tools, but without going so far as to call for a global regulatory body.
In October last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres created a committee of almost 40 experts in the areas of technology, law and personal data protection, from academia, governments and the private sector, including companies such as Microsoft, Google-Alphabet and OpenAI.
The final report, published just days before the “Future Summit” to be held in New York, notes the “lack of global governance of AI” and the exclusion of developing countries from discussions on this current issue.
Of the 193 UN member states, only seven are part of the main AI-related initiatives (within the OECD, G20 and Council of Europe), and 118 are completely absent.
However, the “cross-border” nature of these technologies “demands a global approach”, experts insist.
“AI must serve humanity equitably and safely,” Guterres reiterated this week. “If left unchecked, the dangers posed by AI could have serious implications for democracy, peace and stability,” he added.
– Global cooperation –
In this scenario, the committee of experts calls on UN member states to establish tools to improve global cooperation on the issue, encourage the progress of humanity and prevent abuses.
“No one can currently predict the evolution of these technologies” and those making decisions are not held accountable for the development and use of systems “they do not understand,” the committee says.
In these circumstances, “the development, implementation and use of these technologies cannot depend solely on the whims of the market”, warn the experts, before highlighting the “crucial” role that must be played by governments and regional organizations.
Among the conclusions, the committee suggests the creation of an international group of scientific experts on AI, inspired by the model of UN climate experts (IPCC), whose reports are a reference for describing global warming, its impact and solutions to mitigate the problem.
Scientists would act as advisors to the international community on emerging risks, the sectors in which research is most needed and could also identify how certain technologies could help meet sustainable development goals (eliminating hunger and poverty, gender equality or climate, among others).
The idea is part of the Global Digital Compact project, which is being discussed and which analysts hope will be adopted next Sunday, during the “Future Summit” at the UN.
Experts also suggest starting a regular intergovernmental political dialogue on the issue and creating a fund to help the most backward countries.
– Avoid surprises –
All this in a small structure in the UN secretariat itself, the committee suggests.
Experts, however, do not want the creation of an international governance entity like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as Guterres has already suggested, unless the risks become “more serious and more concentrated”.
In this case, “it may be necessary for States to create an international institution with powers of surveillance, warning, verification and enforcement”, they add.
In a rapidly evolving sector, experts identify several dangers of AI, including disinformation that threatens democracies, more personal “deepfakes” (fake videos), particularly sexual ones, human rights violations, autonomous weapons and their use by criminal or terrorist groups.
“Given the speed, autonomy and opacity of AI systems, waiting for a threat to emerge may mean it is already too late to respond,” they admit. The committee advocates ongoing scientific assessment and policy exchanges so that “the world is not taken by surprise.”
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