UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has supported a proposal by some artificial intelligence (AI) executives to establish an international AI watchdog body similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The use of generative AI technology, capable of creating authoritative prose from text prompts, has garnered public attention since the launch of ChatGPT six months ago, becoming the fastest-growing app of all time. However, concerns have arisen regarding AI’s ability to create deepfake pictures and other misinformation.
UN Secretary-General Endorses the Need for AI Governance
Guterres has expressed his intentions to form a high-level AI advisory body to evaluate AI governance arrangements and make recommendations aligned with human rights, the rule of law, and the common good. He has announced plans to commence work on this project by the end of the year. Guterres believes that the warnings raised by AI developers about the dangers of generative AI must be taken seriously.
Proposal for an International AI Agency
Guterres has endorsed the concept of an AI agency inspired by the IAEA. He believes that such an agency would be “very interesting,” but it can only be created by member states and not by the Secretariat of the United Nations. The IAEA, founded in 1957 and based in Vienna, is responsible for promoting the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies while monitoring the observance of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It currently has 176 member states.
The endorsement by the UN Secretary-General of the creation of an international AI watchdog body is a step forward in addressing concerns about the potential dangers of AI. The proposed AI agency would be modeled after the IAEA and would provide a platform for member states to collaborate on AI governance arrangements. It is essential to address the concerns of AI developers about the risks of generative AI while promoting the development of AI for the common good. The proposed AI agency would be a significant step towards ensuring that the development of AI is aligned with human rights, the rule of law, and the common good.
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