UN adopts ‘landmark’ resolution on making AI safe and trustworthy

Collaboratively bridging the digital divide

Acknowledging the “varying levels” of digital development between countries, the draft resolution invites member states and other stakeholders to combat digital inequalities by “[taking] action to cooperate with and provide assistance to developing countries towards inclusive and equitable access to the benefits of digital transformation and safe, secure and trustworthy artificial systems”.

Let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights, and fundamental freedoms

Actions being encouraged as part of the move towards digital equality include “raising public awareness and understanding” of how AI systems are used; increasing media and information literacy through enabling users to “identify information manipulation, distinguish or determine the origins of authentic digital content” against AI-generated or manipulated content; and promoting AI systems that preserve cultural and linguistic diversity, “taking into account multilingualism in their training data and throughout the lifecycle” of the system.

Highlighting the collaborative effort towards international digital equality, Thomas-Greenfield said: “Let us commit to closing this digital gap within and between nations and using this technology to advance shared priorities around sustainable development.”

In pushing for more active regulation of the field, the resolution also called on countries 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”.

It affirms that “the same rights people have offline must also be protected online”, doubling down on the UN General Assembly’s emphasis on safety and security.

Forward-facing discussion of AI

Looking to the future, the resolution acknowledges the importance of continued discussion on developments in “artificial intelligence governance” to ensure that international regulation aligns with the rapid evolution of AI systems. 

Specialised agencies or programmes, and related organisations within the UN system, are also encouraged to continually “assess and enhance their response” to capitalise on opportunities and address challenges posed by AI systems in a “collaborative, coordinated and inclusive manner”.

Speaking before the adoption, Thomas-Greenfield also expressed hope that the “inclusive and constructive dialogue that led to this resolution would serve as a model for future conversations on AI challenges in other arenas – for example, with respect to peace and security and responsible military use of AI autonomy”.

She added: “We intend for it to complement future UN initiatives, including negotiations toward a global digital compact and the work of the secretary general’s high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence.”

When issuing his warning to governments and tech companies in January 2024, secretary general Guterres also emphasised the stark power disparities throughout the international system as a major barrier to progress on AI, noting for example that many member states were under colonial rule when the UN was set up, and therefore have “minimal weight” in the discussions that take place today.

Highlighting these long-standing global power disparities, as well as the deep geopolitical divides that have emerged since the brief period of unipolarity enjoyed by the US in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War, Guterres said it was possible to prevent the fissures deepening further by building “a new, multipolar global order” based on balance and justice in international relations.

“The only way to manage this complexity and avoid a slide into chaos is through a reformed, inclusive, networked multilateralism. This requires strong multilateral institutions and frameworks, and effective mechanisms of global governance – without them, further fragmentation is inevitable, and the consequences are clear,” he said.