Arr! Ye ol' Security Council be arguin' 'bout them fancy AI contraptions. They be fretin' 'bout their duty to future scallywags!
2023-07-18
Arrr, mateys! The jolly United Nations Security Council gathered round to have a right good chat 'bout AI on a fine Tuesday. England's foreign secretary took the lead as the captain o' this ship. Aye, the U.K. be the council president for July!
The United Nations Security Council recently held a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and its associated risks. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the dangerous potential of AI falling into the wrong hands, stating that it could lead to widespread destruction and loss of life. He called for action to address these risks and the creation of a U.N. watchdog to monitor AI development and use worldwide.Amb. Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the U.S. acting deputy representative to the U.N., highlighted the positive uses of AI, such as crop management and medical assessment, while also acknowledging the potential for cyberoperations and misinformation. DeLaurentis stressed the importance of finding a balance between maximizing AI's benefits and mitigating its risks, urging collaboration with private industry and activists.
James Cleverly, Britain's secretary of state for foreign affairs, claimed that the biggest transformations brought about by AI are yet to come, and emphasized its ability to enhance or disrupt global strategic stability. Cleverly argued that AI poses moral questions about accountability for lethal decisions on the battlefield and called for the global governance of transformative technologies.
Not all countries shared a utopian view of AI. The Chinese government argued that the U.N. rules must reflect the views of developing countries, accusing some developed countries of seeking technological hegemony and creating barriers to technological development. Representatives from Japan, Mozambique, and the United Arab Emirates also shared their perspectives on the matter.
Overall, the discussion shed light on the potential risks and benefits of AI, highlighting the need for international cooperation and regulation to ensure its responsible and ethical use.