In a conference hall in Geneva earlier this year, a video screen displayed live footage of a 25-year-old man in Portugal who was suffering from “locked-in syndrome”. Despite being unable to move or speak due to the neurological disorder, the man was able to communicate with the audience through a digital, AI-powered tool that translated his thoughts into spoken words. This powerful demonstration of AI’s potential to improve lives left many in the audience moved to tears.
Fred Werner, Head of Strategic Engagement at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and organizer of the AI for Good summit, emphasizes that the positive impact of AI is not being ignored by the UN. In fact, over 400 applications of AI have been identified across the UN system, ranging from natural hazards management to human rights monitoring.
However, while the potential benefits of AI are exciting, there are also concerns about its risks. Mr. Werner stresses the need for collaboration in creating international AI standards to address issues such as deepfakes and misinformation.
In September, at the Summit of the Future, the UN will adopt a Global Digital Compact, which includes warnings about the negative consequences of AI being used for malicious purposes. The Compact aims to promote trust in the internet, give individuals more control over their data, and hold accountable those who spread discriminatory and misleading content.
This is the latest step in the UN’s efforts to regulate AI on an international level. In November 2021, the UN’s science agency, UNESCO, adopted the first global agreement on human-centric AI, the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This guideline provides a framework for governments to create laws and strategies that protect human rights and freedoms.
In 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres established the Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, which brought together experts from the public and private sectors to address the governance of AI. Their report emphasized the need for governance to ensure that AI is used in a way that benefits everyone.
The Global Digital Compact includes commitments and actions related to the “digital divide”, which affects 2.6 billion people who lack access to the internet. The Compact calls for all schools and hospitals to be connected to the internet, as well as providing digital literacy skills training. It also establishes an International Scientific Panel on AI and an Annual Global Dialogue on AI Governance, with the goal of establishing global AI standards by 2030 that benefit all.