In a significant address at the UN Security Council meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for urgent global action. Guterres urged member states to establish robust frameworks and regulations to mitigate the adverse impacts of AI on global peace and security.
At the first UN Security Council meeting on the topic Guterres said,
“It is clear that AI will have an impact on every area of our lives.”
Recognizing the wide-ranging influence of AI on various aspects of human life, Guterres stressed the profound implications of generative AI, which can be harnessed for both beneficial and malevolent purposes. While AI holds immense potential to eradicate poverty and find cures for diseases like cancer, Guterres cautioned against its potential grave consequences for global stability.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, presiding over the Security Council, acknowledged the transformative impact of AI on the council’s work, noting its potential to either enhance or disrupt global strategic stability. Cleverly further emphasized the moral and ethical dilemmas posed by AI in the context of defense and deterrence, especially concerning accountability for autonomous lethal decisions on the battlefield. He announced that the UK government plans to host an AI summit later in the year to address these pressing concerns.
Guterres called upon member states to collaboratively establish a legally binding agreement by the end of 2026, specifically targeting the prohibition of lethal autonomous weapons systems. While AI can be instrumental in identifying patterns of violence and monitoring ceasefires, Guterres cautioned against the potential misuse of AI technology by terrorists or malicious governments, highlighting the catastrophic consequences such actions could bring in terms of casualties and destruction.
Additionally, Guterres stressed the criticality of maintaining human control and agency in domains such as nuclear weapons systems and biotechnology, emphasizing that AI should never replace human decision-making in such areas. He advocated for the establishment of a working group to develop comprehensive global governance options for AI by the end of this year.
“I urge agreement on the general principle that human agency and control are essential for nuclear weapons and should never be withdrawn.”
Furthermore, Guterres reiterated his support for a specialized United Nations entity dedicated to governing the responsible use of AI, drawing inspiration from successful models like the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Such an entity would facilitate international cooperation and ensure the ethical and accountable development and deployment of AI technologies.
In conclusion, the address by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlights the urgent need for international collaboration in addressing the risks posed by AI to global peace and security. With a call to action for robust regulations, prohibition of lethal autonomous weapons, and the establishment of a dedicated UN entity for AI governance, Guterres sets the stage for concerted efforts to harness the potential of AI while safeguarding humanity’s well-being.
