The United Nations adopted a “historic” resolution on the safety of artificial intelligence.
According to Associated Pressthe General Assembly signed a resolution to ensure technology benefits all nations.
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The United States and 123 countries sponsored the resolution. Russia, Cuba and China were also active, resulting in the participation of all 193 UN member countries.
The countries worked together to decide the text of the resolution.
After the vote, the ambassadors of the Bahamas, Japan, the Netherlands, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Singapore enthusiastically supported the decision at a press conference.
What did politicians say about the resolution?
The decision, which Vice President Kamala Harris called “historic,” ensures that the technology is “safe, secure and reliable.”
The vice president stated, “AI must be in the public interest – it must be adopted and developed in a way that protects everyone from potential harm and ensures that everyone can enjoy its benefits.”
Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to the resolution as “a remarkable effort.” Furthermore, he stated that it was “an unprecedented global approach to development and use” of AI.
President Biden stated last September at the General Assembly that he was working to ensure that AI is used “forever, while protecting our citizens from this deeper risk.”
An ambassador spoke before the vote
Before the vote in the US General Assembly, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated: “At a time when the world is seen to agree on little, perhaps the most quietly radical aspect of this resolution is the broad consensus forged in the name of advancing progress.”
She added, “The United Nations and artificial intelligence are contemporary, both born in the years following the Second World War.”
Thomas-Greenfield continued, “Both grew and evolved in parallel. Today, as the UN and AI finally intersect, we have the opportunity and responsibility to choose as a united global community to govern this technology, rather than let it govern us.”
She concluded that it was “a good day for the United Nations and a good day for multilateralism.”
Furthermore, the US Ambassador stated that she believes that the respective countries have come together perfectly because technology is progressing rapidly.
“Technology is advancing so quickly that people have no idea what is happening and how it will impact them, especially in countries in the developing world,” Thomas-Greenfield stated. “They want to know that this technology will be available so they can take advantage of it in the future, so this resolution gives them that confidence. It’s just the first step. I’m not exaggerating, but it’s an important first step.”
Furthermore, the resolution recognizes that “the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area” and major technology brands have recognized the need to regulation without the rules being harmful to them.
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