In a recent report, a panel of around 40 experts from the fields of technology, law, and data protection, convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has raised significant concerns about the global governance of artificial intelligence (AI).
The report, which was released just before the high-profile “Summit of the Future,” underscores the urgent need for international oversight to address the risks associated with AI.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the panel stopped short of recommending the establishment of a comprehensive global governing body to oversee AI’s development and implementation.
The proliferation of AI technology has sparked widespread concerns about biases, misuse, and over-dependence, yet the panel refrained from suggesting a robust international authority akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The report highlights a glaring deficit in global governance concerning AI, noting that this technology, by its very nature, transcends borders and impacts various facets of global society.
Of the UN’s 193 member states, only seven are actively engaged in major AI initiatives, while a substantial 118 countries, predominantly from the global south, are entirely absent from these crucial discussions.
“There is, today, a global governance deficit with respect to AI,” the experts state, emphasizing the cross-border nature of the technology. They stress that AI must be developed and utilized in ways that are equitable and safe for all of humanity.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed these sentiments, warning that unchecked AI could pose serious threats to democracy, peace, and stability.
In light of these concerns, the experts recommend several measures to improve global cooperation and mitigate potential risks. They propose the creation of a group of scientific experts on AI, modeled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This panel would serve as an authoritative source on emerging risks, research needs, and potential applications of AI to address global challenges such as hunger, poverty, and gender inequality.
This proposal is part of the draft Global Digital Compact, which is still under discussion and is set to be adopted at the upcoming Summit of the Future.
The report also supports the establishment of a light-touch coordination structure within the UN secretariat to facilitate global cooperation on AI issues.
However, the panel refrains from endorsing a fully-fledged international governance body, as sought by Guterres. They suggest that if AI risks become more severe and concentrated, member states may need to consider creating a more robust institution with monitoring, reporting, verification, and enforcement capabilities.
The authors acknowledge the rapid pace of AI development, which makes it challenging to anticipate and address every potential danger.
They specifically highlight the threats of disinformation, realistic deepfakes (including harmful pornographic content), autonomous weapons, and the use of AI by criminal and terrorist groups.
The report warns that waiting for these threats to fully materialize could result in inadequate responses. Therefore, continuous scientific assessments and policy dialogues are crucial to ensuring that the global community remains prepared for unforeseen challenges.
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