The UN General Assembly calls for regulating artificial intelligence

A first resolution was adopted by consensus, after several months of negotiations, emphasizing “that standards must be established to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are safe, secure and trustworthy.”

It is an innovation that arouses enthusiasm and concern. Faced with the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), the UN General Assembly has called for the establishment of “norms” international organizations, adopting, on Thursday March 21, its first resolution on this sensitive social issue.

“Today we are at an inflection point. Artificial intelligence poses universal existential challenges,” declared American Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, referring in particular to the “deepfakes” who risk “undermining the integrity of political debate in a year when more than half the world will elect its leaders”.

“But AI also presents important universal opportunities to accelerate the fight against poverty, save lives, protect our planet,” she added, describing the “benefits” already observed for medical diagnosis or agriculture.

Resolution focuses on potential gains from AI

The text prepared by the United States and co-sponsored by dozens of countries was adopted without a vote, by consensus, after several months of negotiations. “It shows that this issue of AI is so profound in terms of transformation, not only in terms of technology but also in terms of opportunities, that it transcends the usual geopolitical divisions at the UN,” commented a senior American official.

The resolution, which excludes AI from the military domain, highlights “that standards must be established to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are safe, secure and trustworthy.” And this, with the aim of “promote rather than hinder digital transformation and equitable access to the benefits these systems provide”, to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals which aim to ensure a better future for humanity by 2030. The resolution is in fact mainly focused on the potential gains of AI in terms of development, and says “committed to bridging the digital divide” between and within countries.