The United Nations Security Council met Tuesday morning in New York to discuss the possible threats that artificial intelligence could pose to world peace and individual privacy.
Tuesday’s meeting, chaired by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, marks the first formal discussion the UN has held on AI – an issue that’s rapidly become a concern for governments around the world.
“The malicious use of AI systems for terrorist, criminal or state purposes could cause horrific levels of death and destruction, widespread trauma, and deep psychological damage on an unimaginable scale,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council. “AI-enabled cyberattacks are already targeting critical infrastructure and our own peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, causing great human suffering.”
Marjory Blumenthal, senior adjunct policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, told KNX News that AI programs have the potential to be used for both good and evil. Their impact depends not only on the intentions of their creators, but on how well the programs are made.
“Whether it is a benign device or a weapon-type device, you want to make sure that whatever is targeted is done correctly,” she said. “The algorithms, are they well enough designed? Is the engineering right? Is the coding right? Otherwise something will go wrong in the operation of the system. So whether it’s a civilian or a military application, there are a number of potential risks.”
Blumenthal pointed out that if AI is used smartly, it could have positive outcomes on a global scale.
“With better technology systems, we can analyze data better, we can make better decisions,” she said. “Those could involve greater efficiency with fuel, greater protection of the environment. It can also relate to better protection of safety.”
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis delivered remarks at Tuesday’s meeting underscoring the actions the White House has taken to create guidelines for AI, including the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.
“We are now working with a broad group of stakeholders to identify and address AI-related human rights risks that threaten to undermine peace and security. No Member State should use AI to censor, constrain, repress or disempower people,” DeLaurentis said.
Secretary-General Guterres backed a proposal last month to create an international AI watchdog agency. He echoed his support for the idea during Tuesday’s meeting.
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