The new resolution emphasizes safe, equitable AI use, excluding military applications.

The United Nations General Assembly has taken a significant step towards shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) by adopting a resolution aimed at creating international guidelines to harness the technology’s potential while mitigating its risks. Co-sponsored by numerous countries and adopted unanimously, this resolution underscores the urgent need to establish standards that ensure AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy, specifically excluding military uses of AI from its scope.

This landmark decision, spearheaded by the United States, not only highlights the potential benefits of AI but also emphasizes the importance of bridging the digital divide both between and within nations. The resolution is particularly focused on facilitating digital transformation and ensuring equitable access to AI technologies. This initiative aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, targeting a more prosperous and equitable future for all by 2030.

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, conveyed the collective ambition of the co-sponsoring nations, stating, “As AI technologies rapidly develop, there is an urgent need and unique opportunities for member states to meet this critical moment with collective action.” This statement reflects a widespread recognition of the transformative power of AI and the necessity of a coordinated approach to navigate its complexities.

The resolution’s emphasis on development rather than security concerns, as noted by Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group, appears to be a strategic choice by the US to garner support from developing nations. This strategy suggests a focus on the positive aspects of AI in advancing development goals, rather than diving straight into the thornier issues of security and safety.

The initiative by the UN to draft international guidelines for AI marks a pivotal moment in the global dialogue on technology. By prioritizing the development of safe, secure, and equitable AI systems, the international community acknowledges the dual nature of AI as both a remarkable tool for progress and a potential source of challenges. This resolution lays the groundwork for a future in which AI can contribute to the betterment of humanity, addressing the disparities that exist while leveraging technology for the collective good.