The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday passed its first AI resolution to address human rights concerns posed by the emerging technology.
(Photo : Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the General Assembly said the adoption of the resolution will help "promote safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems" for its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
#BREAKING
UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution to promote safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development
📸: @UN_PGA announcing the adoption of the resolution pic.twitter.com/rA0xTeTfWa— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 21, 2024
Among the issues the resolution will focus on is bridging the "digital divide" between developed countries and emerging economies.
This includes the application of AI to advocate for "inclusive and equitable access" to information technology, as well as "increase digital literacy."
The "landmark" resolution was first drafted by the US and was "co-sponsored" or backed by more than 120 countries.
Also Read: US Drafts First AI Resolution in the UN to Resolve Digital Inequality
UN Pose to Combat Growing Concerns on AI's Negative Impact
UN Attorney General António Guterres, earlier during the World Economic Forum, emphasized the need for concrete action to respond to the emerging impacts of AI in the tech industry.
One of Guterres' points was that companies and tech firms disregard human rights to further develop their AI models.
The disregard to human rights refers to industries taking advantage of their customers to secretly collect data from them, as well as the resurgence of layoffs in favor of leveraging AI.
The International Monetary Fund earlier predicted that over 40% of all jobs worldwide would be "exposed" to AI, 60% in more developed countries, if no guardrails are placed to govern its growth.
So far, the European Union is the only world institution to adopt AI regulation for its constituents amid the virality of the technology.
Related Article: Big Techs Disregarding Human Rights in AI Pursuit, Says UN Chief
AI Regulation Still Underway in the US
Despite the US pushing for an AI resolution in the US, a standardized regulatory rule on the technology within the country remains a faraway dream.
US President Joe Biden previously issued an executive order last October to formulate plans to face the rapid growth of AI in the country.
Over six months later, tasked departments are still at their proposal stages in how to handle AI applications across various sectors of society.
