UN panel on impact of artificial intelligence

The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to approve a 40-member global scientific panel on the impacts and risks of artificial intelligence, with the United States strongly objecting. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who established the panel, called the adoption “a foundational step toward global scientific understanding of AI”. “In a world where AI is racing ahead,” he said on Thursday, “this panel will provide what’s been missing — rigorous, independent scientific insight that enables all member states, regardless of their technological capacity, to engage on an equal footing.”

He has described it as the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap in AI and assessing its real-world economic and social impacts. The vote in the 193-member assembly was 117-2, with the United States and Paraguay voting “no” and Tunisia and Ukraine abstaining. America’s allies in Europe, Asia voted in favour along with Russia, China and many developing countries. Antonio Guterres