UN General Assembly passes resolution to govern artificial intelligence | U.S., Japan, & Others

Joint stakeout Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States to the United Nations, joined by representatives from the Bahamas, Japan, The Netherlands, Morocco, Singapore and the United Kingdom on the UN General Assembly resolution on Artificial Intelligence.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said today (21 Mar), “All 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly have spoken in one voice and together chosen to govern artificial intelligence, rather than let it govern us.”

The General Assembly adopted this morning the draft resolution “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development.”

The text was introduced by the United States of America and co-sponsored by over 120 Member States.

Addressing the press after the adoption of the resolution, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said, “The groundbreaking resolution adopted today cements global consensus for safe, secure, trustworthy AI systems, systems that both advance sustainable development and respect fundamental freedoms.”

She also said, “A first of its kind resolution adopted not only by majority, but by consensus, because ultimately, the risk and benefits of AI have the potential to impact all of us. And so, approaching it requires all of us. The resolution we just adopted reflected our shared responsibility and collective fate. It leaves no one behind it lays the groundwork for AI systems that leave no one behind either.”

She continued, “Why the UN? Why should this body, with so many existential challenges on its plate, take on AI? And the answer is simple. AI is existential. And not only in its threats, of which there are many, but in its opportunities, of which I believe there are many more.”

Answering a question, she said “AI will be able to bring to people in remote villages access to technology, but access to the basic needs that they didn't have access to before. And the whole idea of this is to bridge that gap.”

Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilale said, “This resolution is a steppingstone for existing and future multilateral initiatives on digital cooperation and on AI in particular. This resolution is not a net in itself. But the beginning of our collective journey to shape safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development that leaves no one behind it.”

Addressing the General Assembly earlier this morning, the US Ambassador said, “All told, for all of the unknowns surrounding AI, this much is clear: this technology has the potential to unlock more progress, on more issues, for more people. But in order to ensure equitable access to these benefits, and mitigate risks for communities across the globe, we must approach this technology as a global community. Leaving no one behind.”