The general secretary of the UN, Antonio Guterresintroduced this Monday a global compact to manage digital technologies, including the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (KI), which, according to the organization, can pose threats that are difficult to control.

Guterres, who in 2021 brought to the table the idea of ​​a Global Digital Pact that he already advocated Promoting AI regulationdetailed today in a document of about 30 pages are ideas on how to do it.

The intention of the United Nations is that governments, the private sector and civil society can do that adopt that big deal in September 2024, during the so-called Summit of the Future convened by the organization. Although the Global Digital Pact proposed by Guterres is very broad, one of its most prominent axes is that of artificial intelligence, especially after the rapid progress made in recent months.

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“We are beginning to realize the magnitude of its disruptive potential, both positive and negative, but we have yet to come together to consider the issues and work together on risk identification and flexible ways to mitigate them,” explains the Portuguese diplomat. out.

Guterres noted in a speech Monday that a “digital threshold has recently been crossed, with the widespread use of generative AI in the form of ChatGPT and many other applications,” a technology that will have a major impact, but is unclear. it’ll be fine. “The prospect of further technological progress now often evokes more fear than hope. Even those who have developed AI and who would benefit most from it have expressed and called for deep concern, even calling for governance action.”

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Guterres considers it necessary to ensure that the design and use of AI is transparent, safe and under human control those who can be held accountable, so bet combine international guides and standards, national regulatory frameworks and technical standards in a framework that enables the “agile” management of these new technologies.

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The recipes he proposes generally seek cooperation between government and industry and circumvent laws and regulations.

For example, among the actions it proposes are the urgent launch of a research work with companies to ensure that AI systems are safe and in line with human values ​​or the creation of a high-level advisory group with experts to meet. regularly to address these issues.

In addition, calls on governments to agree with industry on guidelines for the development of artificial intelligence o Make commitments to enhance transparency and involve human rights and ethics teams in this work.

Finally, Guterres calls for consideration “prohibited from using technological applications whose potential or impact cannot be justified under international human rights law”although it is not specified which one.

For example, the Secretary-General has been warning for years about the risk of so-called autonomous weapons, military systems guided by artificial intelligence that can decide for themselves when launching an attack.