24/7 Space News
ROBO SPACE
UN General Assembly to address AI's potential risks, rewards
UN General Assembly to address AI's potential risks, rewards
By Am�lie BOTTOLLIER-DEPOIS
United Nations, United States (AFP) Mar 21, 2024

The UN General Assembly will turn its attention to artificial intelligence on Thursday, weighing a resolution that lays out the potentially transformational technology's pros and cons while calling for the establishment of international standards.

The text, co-sponsored by dozens of countries, emphasizes the necessity of guidelines "to promote safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems," while excluding military AI from its purview.

On the whole, the resolution focuses more on the technology's positive potential, and calls for special care "to bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries."

The draft resolution, which is the first on the issue, was brought forth by the United States and will be submitted for approval by the assembly on Thursday.

It also seeks "to promote, not hinder, digital transformation and equitable access" to AI in order to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to ensure a better future for humanity by 2030.

"As AI technologies rapidly develop, there is urgent need and unique opportunities for member states to meet this critical moment with collective action," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, reading a joint statement by the dozens of co-sponsor countries.

According to Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, "the emphasis on development is a deliberate effort by the US to win goodwill among poorer nations."

"It is easier to talk about how AI can help developing countries progress rather than tackle security and safety topics head-on as a first initiative," he said.

- 'Male-dominated algorithms' -

The draft text does highlight the technology's threats when misused with the intent to cause harm, and also recognizes that without guarantees, AI risks eroding human rights, reinforcing prejudices and endangering personal data protection.

It therefore asks member states and stakeholders "to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights."

Warnings against the technology have become increasingly prevalent, particularly when it comes to generative AI tools and the risks they pose for democracy and society, particularly via fake images and speech shared in a bid to interfere in elections.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made AI regulation a priority, calling for the creation of a UN entity modelled on other UN organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He has regularly highlighted the potential for disinformation and last week warned of bias in technologies designed mainly by men, which can result in algorithms that ignore the rights and needs of women.

"Male-dominated algorithms could literally program inequalities into activities from urban planning to credit ratings to medical imaging for years to come," he said.

Gowan of the International Crisis Group said he didn't "think the US wants Guterres leading this conversation, because it is so sensitive" and was therefore "stepping in to shape the debate."

A race is underway between various UN member states, the United States, China and South Korea, to be at the forefront of the issue.

In October, the White House unveiled rules intended to ensure that the United States leads the way in AI regulation, with President Joe Biden insisting on the need to govern the technology.

Related Links
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROBO SPACE
Gemini's flawed AI racial images seen as warning of tech titans' power
Austin (AFP) Mar 17, 2024
For people at the trend-setting tech festival here, the scandal that erupted after Google's Gemini chatbot cranked out images of Black and Asian Nazi soldiers was seen as a warning about the power artificial intelligence can give tech titans. Google CEO Sundar Pichai last month slammed as "completely unacceptable" errors by his company's Gemini AI app, after gaffes such as the images of ethnically diverse Nazi troops forced it to temporarily stop users from creating pictures of people. Social me ... read more

ROBO SPACE
Under pressure - space exploration in our time

Modi says India's first astronauts will inspire nation

Pioneering Gemini, Apollo astronaut Thomas Stafford dies at 93

From Beyond Beyond, Voyager 1's unexpected message sparks hope and intrigue

ROBO SPACE
MAPHEUS 14 high-altitude research rocket takes flight

HyImpulse readies SR75 rocket for historic maiden launch in Australia

Leonid Capital Partners Invests $6.25 Million in Space Propulsion Innovator Phase Four

China Advances on Reusable Rocket Technology with Launches Planned for 2025 and 2026

ROBO SPACE
Study reveals potential for life's building blocks from Mars' ancient atmosphere

Little Groundwater Recharge in Ancient Mars Aquifer, According to New Models

Three years later, search for life on Mars continues

Mining Into Mineral King: Sols 4110-4111

ROBO SPACE
Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda

Long March 5 deploys Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite

Shenzhou 17 astronauts complete China's first in-space repair job

Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team

ROBO SPACE
US and Australia signs Space Technology Safeguards Agreement

SKorea enhances military operations with Iridium connectivity

Turkcell Partners with Lynk for Satellite-Direct Mobile Services in Turkiye

LeoLabs names Tony Frazier as CEO to expand its role in global space operations

ROBO SPACE
UC San Diego Scientists Unveil Plant-Based Polymers that Biodegrade Microplastics in Months

Frost-resistant concrete technology from Drexel could make salt and shovels obsolete

Kobe breakthrough offers blueprint for enhanced photon up-conversion materials

Using nature's recipe for 3D-printed wood

ROBO SPACE
Hold on to your atmospheres: how planet size affects atmospheric escape

CUTE's groundbreaking design paves the way for future small-scale space missions

Earth as a test object

Loathed by scientists, loved by nature: sulfur and the origin of life

ROBO SPACE
New moons of Uranus and Neptune announced

NASA's New Horizons Detects Dusty Hints of Extended Kuiper Belt

Unlocking the Secrets of Eternal Ice in the Kuiper Belt

NASA Armstrong Updates 1960s Concept to Study Giant Planets

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.