UN, with US support, adopts Chinese resolution to close the gap in access to artificial intelligence

• Post by: Admin
• Jul 02 2024

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution sponsored by China calling on wealthy developed nations to close the growing gap with poorer developing nations and ensure they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial i

UN, with US support, adopts Chinese resolution to close the gap in access to artificial intelligence

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution sponsored by China calling on wealthy developed nations to close the growing gap with poorer developing nations and ensure they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations General Assembly, with US support, adopted a resolution sponsored by China calling on wealthy developed nations to close the growing gap with poorer developing nations and ensure they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence.

The resolution passed Monday follows the adoption of the first U.N. resolution on artificial intelligence on March 21, led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries, including China. It gave global support to international efforts to ensure that AI is "safe, secure and trustworthy" and that all nations can benefit from it.

The adoption of the two non-binding resolutions shows that the United States and China, rivals in many areas, are both committed to being key players in shaping the future of this powerful new technology -- and have worked together on these first important international steps.

The adoption of both resolutions by consensus by the 193-member General Assembly shows broad global support for their leadership on the issue.

China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong told reporters on Monday that the two resolutions complement each other, with the U.S. measure being "more general" and the one just adopted focusing on "capacity building."

He called the Chinese resolution, which had over 140 sponsors, "great and far-reaching," and said, "We are very grateful for the positive role the U.S. has played in this entire process."

Fu said AI technology is developing extremely quickly and the issue has been discussed at very high levels, including by the U.S. and Chinese leaders.

"We look forward to strengthening our cooperation with the United States and, for that matter, with all countries in the world on this issue, which will have ... far-reaching implications in all dimensions," he said.

However, the Chinese ambassador sharply criticized the U.S. Treasury Department's proposed legislation announced on June 21 that would restrict and monitor U.S. investments in China in the fields of artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.

"We firmly oppose these sanctions," Fu said. China does not believe the regulation "will be conducive to the healthy development of AI technology in itself and, more broadly, will divide the world on the standards and the rules governing AI." He called on the U.S. to lift the sanctions.

The Chinese resolution calls on the international community to "provide and promote a fair, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory business environment" from the design and development of AI to its use. Fu said China does not believe the U.S. measures promote an inclusive business environment.

Both the U.S. and Chinese resolutions focus on the civilian applications of AI, but Fu told reporters that the military dimension of artificial intelligence is also very important.

"We believe it is necessary for the international community to take action to reduce the dangers and risks posed by the development of AI," he said.

China is actively participating in the negotiations in Geneva on controlling lethal autonomous weapons, Fu said, adding that some countries are considering proposing a General Assembly resolution on the military dimension of AI this year -- "and we broadly support this initiative."

Both the U.S. and Chinese resolutions warned of the dangers of AI while touting its potential benefits in promoting economic development and the lives of people everywhere.

The U.S. resolution recognizes that "the control of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area" that requires further discussion on possible control approaches. It calls on countries to ensure that personal data is protected, human rights are upheld, and AI is monitored for potential risks.

Ambassador Fu, who headed the State Department's arms control department from 2018 to 2022, said China brought the resolution because of the growing gap between the developed North and the developing South in AI technology.

He said China also wanted to highlight the central role the United Nations should play in AI governance as "the most representative and inclusive international forum."

The Chinese resolution resolves to "bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries" and promote international cooperation, including knowledge sharing and technology transfer to developing countries.