Global Governance of AI: UN’s Call to Action for Humanity’s Future
The final report, “Governing AI for Humanity” by the United Nations High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, highlights the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors such as public health, agriculture, and energy, as well as its capacity to advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the report underscores the critical need for global governance frameworks to ensure that AI benefits are equitably distributed and to mitigate the risks that come with its widespread adoption.
One of the primary issues the report raises is the widening digital divide, where the benefits of AI may be concentrated among a few states, companies, and individuals, leaving large portions of the world at a disadvantage. This inequity is exacerbated by gaps in AI governance, particularly in underrepresented regions such as the Global South. The report argues that without a cohesive global governance approach, these disparities will continue to grow, limiting the positive impact of AI on a global scale.
The report identifies several risks associated with the unchecked development and deployment of AI, including bias in AI systems, surveillance concerns, and the potential for disinformation through AI-enhanced technologies. More recent issues such as AI confabulations (or “hallucinations”) and the creation of autonomous systems capable of unpredictable actions further complicate the ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI. Autonomous weapons, for example, present significant security and humanitarian concerns, as they could upend international norms and legal frameworks.
Given AI's global nature and its implications across borders, the report emphasizes that governance cannot be left solely to market forces or national governments. It calls for a coordinated international effort that leverages existing institutions while also creating new frameworks to address the unique challenges posed by AI. To that end, the report advocates for the establishment of an international scientific panel on AI, modeled after successful global scientific bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This panel would pool scientific knowledge on AI-related opportunities and risks, helping to balance the information asymmetries between nations and ensuring that developing countries can access the benefits of AI technologies.
Additionally, the report suggests the creation of an AI standards exchange, a policy dialogue on AI governance, and a global AI data framework. These measures are designed to foster a common understanding of AI technologies and facilitate the development of interoperable governance approaches. By promoting cooperation across borders and sectors, these initiatives aim to reduce the risks associated with AI while maximizing its potential to contribute to the SDGs.
The report also addresses the economic implications of AI, noting that while AI has the potential to increase global productivity and transform industries, it also poses significant risks to labor markets. AI could displace workers, particularly in lower-income countries that lack the resources to integrate AI into their economies effectively. This could exacerbate existing inequalities unless steps are taken to ensure that all nations have access to AI technologies and the capacity to utilize them in a way that benefits their populations.
To address these concerns, the report calls for the creation of a global AI fund to support capacity development in countries that lack the resources to fully engage with AI technologies. This fund would provide access to computational resources, training, and data, helping to bridge the AI divide and ensure that the benefits of AI are shared more equitably. The report emphasizes that without such support, the potential of AI to contribute to global development and reduce poverty will remain unrealized.
In its final recommendations, the report outlines a proposal for an AI office within the United Nations Secretariat. This office would act as a focal point for coordinating AI governance efforts, ensuring that the United Nations system speaks with one voice on AI-related issues. It would also facilitate partnerships with other international institutions and initiatives, helping to create a more coherent and inclusive global AI governance framework.
The report concludes with a call to action, stressing the urgency of addressing the governance challenges posed by AI. It argues that the stakes are too high to rely solely on fragmented national and multilateral efforts. Instead, the report envisions a new social contract for AI, one that ensures the technology is used to benefit all of humanity, rather than a select few. This will require concerted efforts from governments, the private sector, civil society, and the global community to ensure that AI is governed in a way that promotes fairness, equity, and sustainability.