UN adopts India-backed resolution for ethical AI safeguards

Amidst geopolitical divides, all 193 nations of the United Nations came together in a historic moment to endorse a groundbreaking resolution championed by India, aimed at safeguarding the world against the potential pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Unanimously passed by the UN General Assembly, the resolution, adopted on Thursday, underscores “the imperative of attaining global consensus on ensuring the safety, reliability, and integrity of artificial intelligence systems” amidst the looming specter of “potential hazards from accidents and compounded threats posed by malicious actors.”

Following its adoption, India’s Permanent Representative, Ruchira Kamboj, expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Delighted to lend our support to the AI Resolution.”

Initiated by the US, the resolution, as outlined in the State Department’s briefing, draws upon various initiatives, notably the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) Summit convened by India in December.

Central to the resolution is the recognition of AI’s dual role in advancing worldwide progress while safeguarding individual privacy, human rights, and undergoing rigorous vulnerability assessments prior to implementation.

The resolution advocates for the formulation of regulations ensuring the development of “safe, reliable, and trustworthy” AI systems, while also acknowledging the significance of domestic policies and priorities in shaping these regulations.

The unanimous adoption of the resolution underscores the collective apprehensions regarding AI’s potential to disrupt societal and political landscapes through the proliferation of deepfakes, dissemination of misinformation, and its ominous implications in warfare, weaponry development, and economic disruption.

Reflecting on the resolution’s significance, US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted, “In a time when global consensus seems elusive, the broad agreement achieved in advancing this resolution is quietly revolutionary.”

She further highlighted the extensive collaborative efforts involving over 120 countries over several months to reach a consensus, underscoring the numerous revisions the draft underwent.

Additionally, the resolution accentuates AI’s role in assisting developing nations, particularly the most impoverished, and urges efforts to bridge the digital divide exacerbated by AI.

A key objective of the resolution is the utilisation of AI to promote sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, with a specific focus on developing countries and ensuring inclusivity.

Furthermore, the resolution calls for measures to foster innovation for the internationally harmonised identification, assessment, and mitigation of vulnerabilities and risks throughout the AI lifecycle, from design and development to deployment and usage.