AI innovation is progressing at an unprecedented pace, prompting calls for urgent international collaboration and scientific foundations to guide policy-making. During the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “We are barreling into the unknown. AI innovation is moving at the speed of light – outpacing our collective ability to understand it, let alone govern it fully.”
Guterres emphasized the borderless nature of AI, noting that no single nation can fully grasp its implications alone. “If we want AI to serve humanity, policy cannot be built on guesswork, hype, or disinformation,” he stated. The need for credible, shareable facts that transcend national boundaries and sectors is essential to creating effective governance frameworks.
In response to these challenges, the UN is establishing mechanisms that prioritize scientific input in international cooperation efforts related to AI. They have formed the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, comprising 40 leading experts tasked with closing “the AI knowledge gap.” This panel aims to evaluate the impacts of AI technologies across various economies and societal contexts, enabling unified actions regardless of a country’s AI capabilities.
The panel is now set to deliver an initial report ahead of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance scheduled for July. This report will provide a foundational analysis to help member states transition from philosophical discussions to technical coordination, ensuring policies are informed by evidence rather than speculation. Guterres stressed that effective governance should neither hinder innovation nor neglect potential risks.
He advocates for the establishment of “smarter, risk-based guardrails” to protect individuals, uphold human rights, and foster human agency. By creating a framework that inspires confidence and clarity for businesses, science-led governance can facilitate innovation while ensuring safety.
Guterres emphasized that with stronger international cooperation, countries can better prepare, protect, and invest in their populations, even amidst rising technological rivalry and strained global trust. A lack of a common baseline in AI governance risks creating a patchwork of incompatible regulations, ultimately driving up costs and deepening divides.
“Science is a universal language,” he noted, calling for alignment on technical standards and methods for assessing risk. By establishing a collaborative framework and common measures, the global community can address AI’s challenges effectively.
He concluded by encouraging individuals to engage with decision-making processes about AI, challenging misconceptions, and seeking clarity. “Less hype. Less fear. More facts and evidence,” is the straightforward message he reiterated, underlining the potential of AI to become a trusted driver towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals when governed by scientific principles.
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