The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has announced the creation of a 39-member advisory committee focused on addressing global regulation issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). In an official statement on October 26th, Guterres explained that the committee includes individuals from various fields, including tech industry leaders, government officials, and scholars from around the world. Some notable members of the committee include Hiroaki Kitano, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Sony, Mira Murati, CTO of OpenAI, and Natasha Crampton, Chief Responsible AI Officer at Microsoft.
The committee’s members come from diverse backgrounds and represent six continents. Their expertise ranges from AI specialists like Vilas Dhar from the United States and Professor Yi Zeng from China to Egyptian lawyer Mohamed Farahat. Guterres stated that the impact of AI can be profoundly positive but also expressed concerns about the potential for malicious use of AI, which could undermine trust in institutions, weaken social cohesion, and threaten democracy.
The interest and attention surrounding AI have grown significantly in recent years, particularly after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT. The introduction of this innovative technology has sparked curiosity and raised concerns about its societal implications. Numerous governments are currently working on legislation to oversee the use of AI, prompting calls for enhanced international cooperation from researchers and policymakers.
The United Nations plans to release initial suggestions regarding AI regulation by the end of this year. Comprehensive recommendations are scheduled to be published in the summer of 2024. The organization aims to establish a global scientific consensus on AI-related risks and challenges while promoting collaboration in the governance of AI. The advisory committee’s inaugural meeting is set to take place on October 27th.
The creation of this committee aligns with the United Nations’ commitment to addressing the potential risks and benefits of emerging technologies. The regulation of AI is a crucial topic as it has the power to reshape various aspects of society and economy. By bringing together experts from different sectors and countries, the UN hopes to develop a comprehensive framework that can guide the responsible deployment and use of AI worldwide.
As AI continues to advance, it is essential to have international cooperation and regulations in place to ensure its ethical and safe implementation. The actions taken by the United Nations and its advisory committee demonstrate a commitment to protecting societies from the potential harm associated with AI while harnessing its potential for positive impact. Through global collaboration and dialogue, stakeholders can work together to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits all of humanity.
Source link