UN dialogue highlights emerging AI issues ahead of key global summit

The dialogue, a side event of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2024, sought to provide a platform for stakeholders to share how innovations and best practices in AI and digital technology can address challenges stalling progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which saw participation from a range of AI and technology experts from the UN system, academia, civil society and the private sector.

In facilitating national, regional and global cooperation on AI with the hope of fostering more diversity, equity and inclusion in the development and use of related technologies, it is intended for the dialogue to be one of a series of events ahead of the Summit of the Future to be convened by the UN Secretary-General this September, a once in a generation opportunity to enhance cooperation, reaffirm existing commitments including to the UN Charter and the SDGs, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system.

During her remarks, UN Resident Coordinator in China ad interim, Ms. Beate Trankmann, said, “The conversation surrounding AI governance must be a global one. The UN is particularly well positioned to help establish international consensus on the principles that make AI and digital technologies more equally accessible, preventing further expansion of the digital divide, both between and within countries, and safeguarding against abuse.”

In advance of an anticipated Global Digital Compact to be agreed by Member States at the Summit as part of a Pact for the Future, the dialogue was framed around highlighting the applications in which digital technology can support the achievement of the SDGs, the risks that AI poses if adequate safeguards or global governance mechanisms aren’t set, and the potential role of China.

During his remarks, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNU Rector, Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, said, “It is a key moment to bring together the global community. This dialogue today and the UNU Macau AI Conference are valuable opportunities to have substantive discussions and to inform policymakers who will be negotiating agreements on a governance framework of AI at the Summit of the Future.”

Keynote addresses and panel discussions held during the dialogue also raised the importance of closing divides in access and innovation, the need for an open, free and secure digital future, and the damage posed by threats such as hate speech, disinformation and misinformation to sustainable development.

Adding to remarks from UN representatives, dialogue participants also include those from the Beijing Normal University, East China Normal University, Science and Technology Development Fund, SenseTime, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi’an KissFuture Network Technology Co., Ltd, Tencent Research Institute, Tsinghua University, University of Macao, Venture Cup China, and the Yingke Law Firm.

In his keynote speech, Dean of Schwarzman College and Dean of Institute for AI International Governance at Tsinghua University, Prof. Xue Lan, highlighted challenges with creating a governance framework for AI, including that the inherent uncertainty that exists with AI and the speed with which it is evolving makes it difficult for regulators to develop a governance framework and results in policymakers needing to play catchup with the technological developments.

During his video message played at the dialogue, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, said, “It is important to ensure that AI technologies are governed in a manner that benefits everyone and promotes social and public good. If everyone is impacted, everyone must be involved in AI governance.”

Inputs from the dialogue will form part of summary documents to be shared with UN Headquarters and others ahead of the Summit of the Future.

---For further information, please contact:

Louise Xi LI, Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China                      

Tel: +8610-85320725, Email: xi.li@un.org