Participants include execs from the tech industry, government reps from Spain to Saudi Arabia, and academics from the US, Russia, and Japan.
On October 26, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the formation of a 39-member advisory committee to address issues related to the global regulation of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the announcement, the roster includes executives from the tech industry, government officials from Spain to Saudi Arabia, and academics from the United States, Russia, and Japan. Executives from prominent technology companies include Sony’s chief technology officer, Hiroaki Kitano, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, and Microsoft’s chief responsible AI officer, Natasha Crampton.
In addition, the representatives originate from six continents and have diverse backgrounds, ranging from Vilas Dhar, an AI expert from the United States, to Yi Zeng, a professor from China, and Mohamed Farahat, an Egyptian lawyer.
“The profound positive impact of AI is challenging to fully comprehend,” Guterres said in an official statement. Moreover, he emphasized:
“And without entering into a host of doomsday scenarios, it is already clear that the malicious use of AI could undermine trust in institutions, weaken social cohesion and threaten democracy itself.”
In the year since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, global curiosity, and interest in this innovative technology have increased, prompting AI researchers to express concern over its societal implications. Numerous governments are concurrently drafting legislation to supervise the proliferation of artificial intelligence, prompting researchers and policymakers to call for increased international cooperation.
The United Nations intends to release preliminary recommendations by the end of the year and comprehensive recommendations by the summer of 2024. The United Nations has identified as immediate priorities the establishment of a global scientific consensus on potential AI-related risks and challenges and the improvement of international collaboration in AI governance. The organization’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for October 27.
