The United Nations have set up a new advisory body on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed at helping countries to navigate both the opportunities and the dangers of the rapidly evolving technology.
In a resolution accepted Tuesday, the UN general meeting approved the establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel On Artificial Intelligence. The 40-member body, which must be appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres, will consist of leading scientists and experts who are responsible for giving impartial research assessments for governments. Each will serve a period of three years.
The work of the panel includes analyzing existing research, identifying risks and benefits and offering evidence-based recommendations for policy makers. Officials say that the group will play a key role in tackling worries about the potential of AI to undermine human rights, destabilizing democracies and increasing inequality, if not correctly regulated.
Moreover, the resolution outlines plans for an annual global dialogue about AI Governance. The first session will take place next year in Geneva during a world top about artificial intelligence. Participants will include governments, social organizations, researchers and representatives of the private sector, with discussions that are expected to focus on international cooperation, lessons and best practices.
The ambassador of Costa Rica, Maritza Chan Valverde, who co-president the negotiations with Spain, emphasized the worldwide importance of the initiative. “The development of artificial intelligence affects all states,” she said, and noted that the UN should ensure that AI “should be humanity instead of undermining it.”
