One of the most notable endeavors to achieve global consensus on artificial intelligence technology was the unanimous adoption of a resolution on Thursday aimed at promoting the safe and reliable development of AI.
Led by the United States, this initiative involved over three decades of negotiations with U.N. member nations. Extensive discussions took place over more than 40 days, with U.S. officials engaging in numerous meetings to deliberate on the resolution’s contents with counterparts from countries like Russia and China. These negotiations were described by a senior official from the Biden administration as involving substantial efforts, conducted under a shroud of secrecy.
The official emphasized that the unanimous support from the United Nations for this resolution underscores how artificial intelligence has the ability to transcend traditional geopolitical boundaries.
Acknowledging the input from countries like Russia, China, and Cuba, the official stated, “We did incorporate most of their proposed changes.”
In the backdrop of the Biden administration’s proactive stance in asserting greater influence over the global arena, this resolution signifies a move to establish U.S. leadership in shaping international AI development policies. While the European Union and other nations have made significant strides in formulating AI regulations, U.S. policymakers are still in the nascent stages of crafting comprehensive AI policies.
The primary objective of this resolution is to promote individual freedoms. However, without enforcement mechanisms in place, nations are left to voluntarily adhere to the guidelines. Notably, China is advocating for regulations that would mandate AI systems like ChatGPT to align with socialist principles.
Building upon prior international agreements on AI governance, this resolution expands on the principles outlined in the Bletchley Declaration, signed by the United States, China, the European Union, Britain, and other countries. The aim is to mitigate the ethical and security risks associated with AI technology and foster global collaboration in research efforts. The decision to pursue a new agreement with the UN stemmed from concerns raised by the Biden administration regarding the exclusion of developing nations from previous international AI agreements.
As the use of advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT gains momentum, countries are adopting varying approaches to AI regulation. While the European Parliament recently approved the EU’s AI Act, which mandates stringent testing and data disclosure requirements for AI developers, the U.S. is yet to establish a comprehensive legislative framework for AI, despite President Biden signing an executive order on AI last year.
