António Guterres this Tuesday warned of the potential risks and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on world peace and security, calling for urgent safeguards against an “unprecedented” technology.
“It is clear that AI will affect every aspect of our lives”including generative AI (a general term for any type of automated process that uses algorithms to produce, manipulate or synthesize data), Guterres said in a speech to the UN Security Council.
It was the first time the UN Security Council debated artificial intelligence, an initiative promoted by the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN this month.
“Generative AI has enormous potential to do good and harm on a massive scale”added the UN leader.
For Guterres, while these technologies can help eradicate poverty, end hunger, cure cancer and encourage climate action, military and non-military applications of AI could have serious implications for world peace and security.
“We are here today because AI will influence the work of this Council and can enhance or disrupt global strategic stability,” added Britain’s head of diplomacy, James Cleverly, who chaired the meeting.
“It challenges our assumptions about defense and deterrence and raises moral questions about responsibility for making decisions that cause death on the battlefield,” Cleverly added, as the UK government is hosting a summit on the issue in the autumn .
In this context, In particular, Guterres called for the creation of a binding instrument by the end of 2026 to ban “lethal autonomous weapon systems” that operate without human oversight.
In the field of security, AI is increasingly being used, including by the UN, to identify patterns of violence, monitor ceasefires or support peacekeeping, mediation and humanitarian efforts, the United Nations Secretary-General said.
“[Mas] The malicious use of AI systems for terrorist, criminal or state purposes can lead to horrific levels of death and destruction, widespread trauma and psychological damage on an unimaginable scale,” he stressed.
Guterres also expressed concern about the risks of “failure” of the systems using these technologies, namely in the fields of nuclear weapons, biotechnologies, neurotechnologies and robotics, and pushed for the idea that human control of weapons should never be withdrawn. nuclear.
“AI governance mechanisms are urgently needed,” stressed the UN Secretary-General, who will entrust a group of experts with the task of proposing “options” in this area by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Guterres reiterated his support for the creation of a “United Nations entity” to help maximize the benefits of AI and mitigate the risks, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the UN Group of Climate Experts (GIEC). ).
Source: DN
