AI: “Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity” - UN Chief

“Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

Guterres said today (17 Jul) that AI could be humanity's greatest opportunity of the 21st century - or one of its greatest risks. He thanked China for convening the gathering under a theme built on partnership.

The Global Digital Compact was proof that no handful of countries or companies should govern the technology's future, Guterres said, “Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity. It cannot be governed by a handful of countries or a handful of companies. Every nation needs a seat at the table.”

The UN chief warned, “AI can help usher in a quantum leap across the Sustainable Development Goals. But it won't happen if the historical injustices of the past are repeated in the technologies of the future. And yet one-third of humanity is still offline.”

He said, “Computing power, data resources and technical expertise remain concentrated. Hundreds of billions of dollars of private investment flood into artificial intelligence – while many developing countries receive just a trickle. AI risks pushing the world towards even greater inequalities … greater divides in income, in opportunity, in security … greater gaps between North and South. We cannot let that happen.”

Guterres said, “Developing countries bring enormous assets to the age of AI. Talent. Ideas. Young, dynamic populations. Every country should be able to shape this technology to its own needs: with its own skills, its own data, in its own languages.”

The UN chief called for governance anchored in international law, “Systems that cross borders need standards that cross borders. We need common approaches to testing, risk assessment, and responsibility. We need governance that is inclusive, networked, and anchored in international law. Human rights must be protected. Humans must keep control over every life-and-death decision. And no AI system should be put in a child's hands before it has been proven safe.”

He urged AI companies to come clean on their environmental impact, “AI can help speed the energy transition – managing grids, integrating renewables, cutting waste. But its growing demands for energy, water and land must be brought into the open. I call on every major AI company to disclose the full environmental footprint of their systems – and power them with renewables by 2030.”

Guterres closed by saying, “The defining question is not whether artificial intelligence w, “ill transform the world. It will. The defining question is whether that transformation will reduce inequalities or reinforce them. Whether it will concentrate power or expand opportunity. Whether it will bring the promise of progress for every country – or only to those already at the front of the pack. This is a test of technology – and a test of solidarity.”