The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to promote the safe and trustworthy development of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive efforts to reach international alignment on the technology.
Spearheaded by the United States, the initiative involved three months of negotiations with UN member nations. Senior officials engaged in over 40 hours of intense discussions, including heated conversations with US adversaries such as Russia and China. Despite differing viewpoints, the resolution reflects how artificial intelligence has transcended typical geopolitical divisions.
“We did generally include most of their suggested edits,” a senior Biden administration official revealed, highlighting the collaborative nature of the negotiations.
The resolution aims to assert US leadership in global AI development, as the Biden administration seeks to expand its influence within the United Nations. While the European Union and other states have made strides in crafting AI legislation, US legislators are still in the early stages of such efforts.
Although the resolution seeks to promote human rights, it lacks enforcement mechanisms if countries fail to adhere to its principles. China, for instance, is advancing regulations that would require AI systems to align with core socialist values.
Building on past international AI agreements like the Bletchley Declaration, which aimed to mitigate safety risks and foster research cooperation, the UN resolution addresses concerns about inclusivity. Recognizing the divergent paths taken by nations in regulating AI, it seeks to provide a framework for global collaboration.
United Nations Resolution and Global AI Regulatory Trends
The resolution’s adoption coincides with various regulatory approaches worldwide, particularly in light of the popularity of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. The European Parliament’s recent approval of Europe’s AI Act demonstrates a commitment to transparency and rigorous testing in AI development. Meanwhile, President Biden’s AI executive order in the United States highlights the need for comprehensive AI legislation, although progress in Congress remains uncertain.