The United Nations has officially adopted a U.S.-led draft resolution that ensures artificial intelligence's (AI) development will center on "safe, secure, and trustworthy" systems that do not trample international human rights laws.
The resolution, which has the backing of all 193 UN members, was reportedly approved on Thursday by agreement without a vote and with strong support from 123 countries in addition to the United States.
(Photo: ELODIE LE MAOU/AFP via Getty Images) On September 9, 2022, A half-masted United Nations flag flew at the UN offices in Geneva to mark Queen Elizabeth II's death.
The UN's resolution strongly urges all member states to abstain from or stop using artificial intelligence systems that either pose disproportionate risks to the enjoyment of human rights or are difficult to operate under international human rights law. The draft resolution states that people's online rights must be upheld just as they are offline, including while artificial intelligence systems are developing.
Additionally, the Assembly called on all States, businesses, civil society, research institutions, and the media to create and promote frameworks and approaches for governance and regulations about the safe, secure, and reliable use of artificial intelligence
US Vice President Kamala Harris lauded the resolution, saying it establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI.
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EU's AI Act
United Nations' first landmark AI resolution follows just a few weeks after the European Union approved the world's first AI regulatory act. The EU Parliament formally accepted the regulatory framework with an overwhelming majority of 523 votes in favor, following the brokering of a preliminary political consensus in December.
The framework is the first significant collection of regulations in the world created to regulate AI technology and handle its many dangers and ramifications.
AI technology is categorized under the EU AI Act according to risk levels, which go from "unacceptable" to high, medium, and low danger. This classification scheme serves as the foundation for laws governing AI applications, which are designed to guarantee transparency and responsibility.
European Commissioner for Internal Market Legislation Thierry Breton praised the EU's position as a global leader in AI legislation. Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, underlined this idea and stressed the significance of striking a balance between innovation and the defense of basic rights.
Tech Corporations Join the AI Pledge
When the 2nd UNESCO Global Forum on AI was held in Kranj, Slovenia, in early February, Microsoft, LG, Lenovo, and five other multinational tech corporations also pledged to follow UNESCO's AI ethics recommendation. This is said to be the first time these tech companies have collaborated with the UN in this way.
According to a new agreement signed by the tech companies GSMA, INNIT, Lenovo Group, LG AI Research, Mastercard, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Telefonica, the tech giants will have to protect human rights in all phases of AI development, design, acquisition, sale, and usage.
Related Article: UN Forms High-Level AI Advisory Board to Guide Global Governance
(Photo: Tech Times)
