- UN warns of the urgent need for global governance to prevent an AI-pocalypse, stating that the window of opportunity to establish effective control is closing rapidly.
- António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, emphasized that the more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments and people will have in the outcome.
- The UN Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence released its Preliminary Report, highlighting the rapid advancement of AI technology.
- The report indicates that AI technology is advancing faster than governments can regulate, with significant implications for global governance.
- The report also notes that inequality in AI access is growing, particularly between the Global North and Global South, with many developing countries lacking national AI strategies.
The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), stating that the technology is advancing faster than governments can regulate it.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, “The more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments and people will have in the outcome.”2
The report highlights that 118 countries, primarily in the Global South, are not participating in significant AI governance discussions, with less than one-third of developing nations having established national AI strategies.
“A handful of companies and a handful of countries are making the most consequential decisions about humanity’s future,” said journalist Maria Ressa, underscoring the concentration of power in AI development.
The report also reveals that the United States controls approximately 75% of the computing capacity for leading AI supercomputers, while China holds around 15%.
“AI capabilities are outpacing both scientific understanding and governments’ ability to adapt,” noted renowned computer scientist Yoshua Bengio.
The UN calls for stronger third-party evaluations, international coordination, and shared standards to ensure that AI's benefits are equitably distributed and its risks mitigated.
Guterres warned, “If the world keeps moving along this trajectory, humanity will fail to realize the gains it promises.”
The report's findings will be presented to governments at a conference in Geneva on July 6-7, aiming to catalyze urgent action for effective AI governance.
“The UN emphasizes the critical need for global governance to manage AI risks and prevent widening inequality. As AI technology advances rapidly, the report highlights that many nations lack the expertise to effectively participate in governance discussions.”
Euronews
The European Sting
