The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first-ever global resolution on artificial intelligence in a session on Thursday, encouraging countries to safeguard human rights, protect personal data, and monitor AI for threats.
Entitled, “Seizing the Opportunities of Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems for Sustainable Development,” the resolution, jointly introduced by the United States and Morocco last Thursday, seeks to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems to address global issues such as poverty eradication, healthcare, food security, climate change, energy, and education.
The White House issued a statement Thursday by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris welcoming the UN adoption decision.
“The resolution, sponsored by over 100 nation-members of the UN, is a historic step toward establishing clear international norms for AI and fostering safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems,” Harris said.
She emphasized the importance of this resolution for establishing a universal understanding of AI.
“AI requires global action, and when it comes to the challenges of the 21st century, we believe all nations must be guided by a common set of understandings,” she asserted.
According to the same source, Harris explained that the AI development resolution was crafted through global consultation and collaboration, in an attempt to support sustainable development and provide equal access to AI resources and expertise, with an emphasis on the safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms as critical components of the resolution.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for cooperation among all affected parties to build a commonly beneficial approach and achieve the sustainable development goals promoted by artificial intelligence, according to a press release published by the U.S. Department of State on Thursday.
“Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to advance sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)…Governments must work with the private sector, civil society, international and regional organizations, academia and research institutions, technical communities, and all other stakeholders to build this approach.”