Top 3 Points For Lawyers to Take Away From The United Nations General Assembly's Resolution On Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is top of mind for everyone these days. Even the United Nations. In an unprecedented move, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a landmark resolution aimed at regulating the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Led by the United States and co-sponsored by over 120 Member States, this resolution marks a significant moment in the international community's approach to AI, attempting to align its vast potential with the ambitious goals of sustainable global development.
Here are the top 3 points for you as a lawyer to know about this historic resolution:
1. Unanimous Call for Ethical AI
At its core, the resolution advocates for the "safe, secure, and trustworthy" development and use of AI technologies. It underscores the crucial importance of respecting, protecting, and promoting human rights throughout the AI life cycle. This holistic approach is in keeping with the UN’s policy on AI of not only mitigating risks but also about harnessing AI's capacity to accelerate progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
Recognizing the transformative power of AI, the General Assembly made it clear that the same rights people enjoy offline must be vigorously defended online. This principle is especially pertinent in the context of AI systems, where there's a heightened risk of infringing on individual freedoms and privacy. To this end, the resolution calls upon governments, private sectors, civil societies, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive regulatory and governance frameworks. These frameworks are intended to ensure that AI technologies are used in a manner that is not only ethical but also beneficial to humanity.
2. Bridging the Gap and Looking Forward
The second critical aspect of the resolution is its focus on bridging the digital divide, particularly in developing countries. The General Assembly called for enhanced cooperation and support to ensure these nations have equitable access to AI technologies, thereby closing the technological gap and fostering digital literacy worldwide, making this initiative a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive digital future for all.
With this resolution the UN also hopes to set a precedent for future dialogues on AI, spanning various sectors including peace, security, and responsible military use. The inclusive and constructive dialogue leading to this resolution is a model for tackling AI challenges across different domains.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the collective opportunity and responsibility to govern AI technology proactively. "Let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights, and fundamental freedoms," she urged. This vision is not just about leveraging technology for development but about doing so in a way that upholds the dignity and rights of all individuals.
3. A Call to Action for Sustainable Development
As the world stands on the cusp of a technological revolution powered by AI, the United Nations' resolution serves as a timely reminder of the need for a balanced approach. By committing to close the digital divide and use AI to advance global priorities, the international community is taking a significant step towards a future where technology serves humanity's best interests, paving the way for sustainable development across the globe.
The Bottom Line
The goal of ethical worldwide will be a formidable challenge. AI is currently fraught with significant privacy concerns and new avenues for fraud, which will likely amplify as AI expands throughout the world; just one example of which is AI voice-cloning technology scammers use to replicate voices of loved ones to defraud the unwary. Although technology will develop to combat the privacy concerns and de-cloak the fraud, it will lag significantly behind capabilities. Equally daunting is the goal of sustainable AI. Artificial Intelligence is a resource intensive, electricity-consuming giant. It takes enormous computer power and massive amounts of electricity.
In adopting this resolution, the UN General Assembly has not adopted or even suggested any guidelines or strictures. But it has acknowledged AI's potential and signaled its desire the meet the challenge of ensuring its development and use benefit all of humanity. As nations and stakeholders rally behind this historic resolution, the path forward is one of cautious optimism, collective action, and a shared commitment to a more equitable and sustainable world.