He stressed that AI must benefit everyone, including the third of humanity that is still offline, and stressed the urgent need to find consensus on what guiding norms should apply to the use of AI.
The UN chief spoke at the AI for Good Summit organized in Geneva by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and brings together governments, civil society, UN agencies, AI innovators and investors.
The event explores ways in which AI can be used to help the world achieve that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Get the SDGs back on track
At the ITU Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin called for global collaboration to “ensure that AI reaches its full potential while preventing and mitigating harm”. Halfway through the deadline humanity has set for achieving the SDGs, the world has gone astray, the ITU chief said, and using AI to accelerate progress has now “our responsibility”.
In an ideal scenario, says Ms. Bogdan-Martin, we could successfully use AI to find cures for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, increase clean energy production, and help farmers increase crop yields.
AI risks are increasing
But a A dystopian future was also possiblewhere AI destroyed jobs and enabled an uncontrollable spread of disinformation, or where only wealthy countries reaped the benefits of the technology, the ITU secretary-general said.
At the beginning of the year, the UN human rights chief Volker Türk said had warned about the rapid and uncontrolled advances in generative AI. He said that “human agency, human dignity and all human rights are at serious risk” and called on governments and companies to enshrine the development of the technology in legal considerations.
A “historical” moment
The ITU chief stressed that the AI summit came at a “historic” time when it was crucial to advance AI governance and ensure its inclusive, safe and responsible use.
“The future of AI has yet to be written,” she said.
Innovative robots
More than 50 robots will be present at the summit as part of a “Robotics for Good” exhibition. Their inventors will show how the robots can support people’s health, provide education services, help people with disabilities, reduce waste and support emergency relief during disasters.
A number of humanoid robots will perform as ‘speakers’ at the event, showcasing their skills as caregivers and companions for the elderly.
A press conference is scheduled for Friday where some of the humanoid robots will answer questions.
Exhibitions of the AI for Good Global Summit 2023.
