The
UN Secretary-General on Tuesday called for global cooperation in sharing the
transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that unequal
access could exacerbate global inequalities.
“AI capacities today are concentrated in a handful of powerful
companies – and even fewer countries. Meanwhile, too many countries face
significant challenges in accessing AI tools,” António
Guterres told a forum on artificial intelligence capacity building,
in Shanghai, China.
Bridging that gap is all the more important given AI’s potential
for sustainable development. With many of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) targets off track, artificial intelligence can help rescue
the development agenda.
“To truly harness AI’s potential, we need international
cooperation – and solidarity,” Mr. Guterres added.
Risks
also uneven
The UN chief also stressed that just as the benefits of AI are
unevenly distributed, so too are the risks.
“Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate
inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most
vulnerable,” he warned.
“We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the
foundations for inclusive governance of AI – for the benefit of all humanity.”
Unique
opportunities
Mr. Guterres noted the upcoming Summit of the Future, where
Governments are expected to endorse a new Global Digital Compact, as a crucial
forum to achieve just that.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts across the UN system.
For instance, in its final report this month, the UN’s High-level
Advisory Body on AI is expected to outline a series of recommendations,
including creating an AI Capacity Development Network, establishing a Global AI
Fund for SDGs and developing a Global Data Framework for local AI ecosystems.
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UN
China Secretary-General
António Guterres meets with Chen Jining, the Secretary of the CPC Shanghai
Committee. |
Official
visit to China
The Secretary-General is on an official visit to China, where he
will take part in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in
Beijing on Thursday morning (local time).
He will also meet with senior Government officials, as well as
with the UN offices and agencies in country.
Over the weekend, Mr. Guterres was in
Singapore where he met with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and other senior officials.