- The UN Secretary-General has backed a proposal for an international AI watchdog similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency to regulate the use of AI and ensure its safety and responsible use.
- The proposed watchdog would place restrictions on deployment, vet compliance with safety standards, and track usage of computing power.
- There is an urgent need for regulation of AI as it poses significant risks, and the creation of an international AI watchdog body could be an important step in addressing these risks through effective regulation and oversight.
In a significant development, the United Nations (UN) Chief has extended his support to Sam Altman’s proposal of creating a global AI watchdog modeled after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The watchdog will oversee the development and deployment of artificial intelligence across the world. The move comes amid concerns about the ethical use of AI and the growing influence of large tech companies.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, proposed the idea of creating a regulatory body for AI in a blog post last month. Altman argued that AI is rapidly advancing and has the potential to transform economies, societies, and our daily lives. However, without proper regulation, it could also pose significant risks, including job losses, privacy violations, and even threats to global security.
Altman’s proposal calls for the creation of a global AI watchdog modeled on the IAEA, which oversees nuclear energy and weapons worldwide. The proposed AI watchdog would monitor the development of AI technology and ensure that it is used ethically and does not violate human rights. It would also investigate concerns about AI’s impact on social inequality, global security, and privacy.
The UN Chief, António Guterres, expressed his support for Altman’s proposal during a speech at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. He acknowledged that AI has the potential to accelerate progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, but that it also poses significant challenges, particularly for developing countries.
Guterres suggested that the UN could play a key role in coordinating global efforts to regulate AI and called for an international dialogue on the issue. He also emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach that includes governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations.
The support from the UN Chief is a significant boost for Altman’s proposal and could help pave the way for the creation of a global AI watchdog. However, there are still significant challenges to overcome, including questions about the authority and funding of such an organization.
Nonetheless, the proposal is likely to generate further discussions and international support for the regulation of AI. As AI continues to advance and become more embedded in our daily lives, it is critical that we ensure that its development and use are aligned with our values and goals for a better world.