The United Nations recently published a new report, called “Governing AI for Humanity,” prepared by the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. The report calls for a global framework to address the challenges and harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI). This final report, released in September, highlights AI’s transformative potential while outlining its associated risks and proposing comprehensive governance strategies to ensure AI benefits humanity.
The report stems from the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s 2020 “Roadmap for Digital Cooperation” and builds on insights gathered since the Advisory Body’s formation in October 2023. The body consists of a diverse panel of global experts from governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia. The aim is to create an AI governance framework that promotes responsible AI development and deployment, addressing concerns about bias, disinformation, and its potential to exacerbate inequality.
AI is already proving to be a double-edged sword, the report emphasizes. While it has the potential to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, energy, and public service delivery, without proper governance, its misuse could lead to significant harms. AI-driven disinformation, autonomous weapons, and unchecked surveillance pose grave threats to security, democracy, and human rights. Furthermore, the environmental impact of energy-intensive AI systems, particularly in a time of climate crisis, is noted as a concern.
The report identifies major gaps in governing AI, focusing on three areas: representation, coordination, and implementation. Many regions, particularly in the Global South, are excluded from the global AI governance discourse, exacerbating digital divides. There are also significant coordination gaps, with various global and regional initiatives operating independently, leading to fragmented AI governance. The Advisory Body urges that a more unified and coordinated approach is needed, particularly within the United Nations, where no single entity comprehensively addresses AI governance.
A key proposal in the report is the establishment of a scientific panel that would focus on building a common understanding of AI capabilities, risks, and uncertainties. This panel would serve as a foundation for international dialogue and collaboration on governing AI. In addition to the panel, the report calls for a global AI data framework and capacity-building network to ensure that AI’s benefits are distributed equitably. It also proposes the creation of a Global Fund for AI, aimed at supporting the development of AI in under-resourced regions, promoting inclusivity in technological advancements.
One of the most notable recommendations is the proposal to establish an AI office within the United Nations Secretariat. This office would ensure that the United Nations speaks with a cohesive voice on AI issues, coordinating efforts across various agencies and working closely with international stakeholders. The report stops short of recommending the immediate creation of an international AI agency, though it leaves open the possibility of pursuing such an institution if future developments necessitate it.
The report stresses the urgency of global cooperation to prevent AI from becoming a tool for deepening inequalities or perpetuating harm. The authors advocate for a new “social contract” for governing AI, anchored in the United Nations Charter and international human rights law. This contract would ensure that AI’s opportunities are fairly distributed, while its risks are minimized, particularly for vulnerable populations and future generations.
Ultimately, the report concludes with a call to action, urging world leaders, civil society, and the private sector to work together to develop AI governance systems that are inclusive, transparent, and adaptive to the rapid pace of technological change. The stakes, the authors argue, are too high to rely solely on market forces or fragmented national approaches.
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