UN General Assembly Sets Global AI Rules: Safety First

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first global resolution on artificial intelligence on Thursday. 

The resolution encourages the protection of personal data, monitoring of AI risks, and safeguarding of human rights.

“Today, all 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly have spoken in one voice, and together, chosen to govern artificial intelligence rather than let it govern us,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

The non-binding resolution, proposed by the United States and co-sponsored by China and 121 other nations, represents the first time the Assembly has adopted a resolution regulating the emerging field. 

The Assembly called on all Member States and stakeholders “to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights.”

“The same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, including throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems,” it affirmed.

In November 2023, the US, Britain and more than a dozen other countries unveiled the first detailed international agreement on how to keep AI safe from rogue actors, pushing for companies to create AI systems that are “secure by design”.

Europe already adopted a provisional agreement in March 12th to oversee the technology, moving closer to adopting the world’s first artificial intelligence rules.

“Our ground-breaking AI law will allow us to be world leaders in digital and tech innovation based on EU democratic values, because Europe has the ability to set the tone worldwide and lead responsibly,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said after the vote.