UN adopts first global resolution on artificial intelligence – 03/21/2024 – Tech

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted the first global resolution on artificial intelligence to encourage the protection of personal data, monitor AI for risks and safeguard human rights, US officials said.

The non-binding resolution, proposed by the United States and co-sponsored by China and 121 other nations, took three months to negotiate and also advocates strengthening privacy policies, officials said in a briefing to reporters before the resolution’s approval.

“We are navigating choppy waters with rapidly changing technology, which means it is more important than ever to navigate in light of our values,” one of the officials said, describing the resolution as the “first truly global consensus document on A.I. “.

The resolution is the latest in a series of initiatives — few of which have the force of law — from governments around the world to shape the development of AI, amid fears it could be used to disrupt democratic processes, fuel fraud and or lead to dramatic job losses, among other harms.

“Improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems present risks that may harm the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the measure says.

Asked whether the negotiators faced resistance from Russia or China, UN member states that also voted in favor of the document, the officials admitted that there were “a lot of heated conversations, but we actively engage with China, Russia, Cuba and other countries who often don’t agree with us.”

“We believe the resolution strikes the appropriate balance between promoting development while continuing to protect human rights,” said one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In November, the US, UK and more than a dozen other countries unveiled the first detailed international agreement on how to keep artificial intelligence safe from rogue actors, pushing companies to create AI systems that are “secure by design.”

Europe is ahead of the United States, with European Union lawmakers adopting a tentative agreement this month to oversee the technology, moving closer to adopting the world’s first artificial intelligence rules. The Biden administration has been pushing lawmakers to regulate AI, but the polarized U.S. Congress has made little progress.

The White House sought to reduce AI risks for consumers, workers and minority groups while bolstering national security with a new executive order in October.

Like governments around the world, Chinese and Russian authorities are eagerly exploring the use of AI tools for a variety of purposes. Last month, Microsoft said it had caught hackers from both countries using Microsoft-backed OpenAI software to hone their spying skills.