The UN Secretary-General proposes measures to ensure the safety and ethics of AI-powered applications

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres revealed on Monday his intention to establish a scientific advisory body comprised of external experts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Furthermore, he expressed openness to the idea of establishing a dedicated U.N. agency that would specifically focus on AI-related matters.

Guterres drew inspiration from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a prominent organization overseeing nuclear activities, and highlighted the advantages of a knowledge-based institution with limited regulatory functions. While Guterres clarified that the authority to create an IAEA-like agency rests with the U.N.'s 193 member states, he viewed such a development as a positive step.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, headquartered in Vienna, plays a central role in facilitating international nuclear cooperation. It is responsible for formulating global nuclear safety standards and serves as both a watchdog and an advisor on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Heightened concerns surrounding the potential misuse and detrimental implications of AI have been expressed by various experts, including Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognized as the "godfather of AI." Top cybersecurity officials in the United States have also sounded alarms about the escalating dangers associated with AI. Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Jen Easterly, stressed the necessity for regulation to govern the licensing and utilization of AI capabilities. Easterly endorsed the idea of initiating discussions with adversaries on AI, likening it to conversations around nuclear weapons, as she considered AI to be the most influential weaponry of this century.

In a recent announcement, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled plans for the United Kingdom to host a major global summit on AI safety in the coming autumn.

Guterres acknowledged the challenges of regulating an industry marked by rapid advancements, where norms established today may swiftly become obsolete. Consequently, he emphasized the requirement for a flexible process that entails ongoing involvement from multiple stakeholders. Guterres emphasized the establishment of soft law mechanisms, such as norms, codes of conduct, and other regulatory measures through a collaborative effort.

The scientific advisory body that Guterres intends to assemble will include chief scientists from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized U.N. agency focusing on information and telecommunication technology. External experts, including two AI specialists, will also be invited to contribute to the advisory body.

Additionally, the U.N. Secretary-General revealed plans for a digital compact, described as a voluntary "code of conduct," which he hopes technology companies and governments will adopt. The objective of this compact is to curtail the dissemination of misinformation, hate speech, and disinformation to billions of individuals, thereby fostering a safer online environment. Guterres emphasized the importance of developing guidelines that promote factual information while combating conspiracies and falsehoods, all while upholding freedom of expression and information. He criticized technology companies for their inadequate efforts in preventing their platforms from contributing to hate and violence. Furthermore, Guterres expressed his concern over governments disregarding human rights and resorting to extreme measures such as widespread internet shutdowns.

Guterres aims to finalize the code of conduct following discussions with member states, with the goal of unveiling it before the U.N. Summit of the Future scheduled for September 2024.