The G20 meeting in Brazil ended almost a week ago, but today the group published an exclusive article on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). After all, how will the tool impact mainly sustainable development and human rights?
The text is based on the original by Atahualpa Blanchet. He is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Studies at USP and a member of the Digital Transformation and Society Group at PUC-SP.
Social participation in the inclusion of AI in the G20 declaration
The G20 leaders’ declaration highlighted AI as a central issue for sustainable development and the defense of human rights. The document, signed by the heads of state of the world’s largest economies, reaffirmed essential ethical principles, including algorithmic transparency, explainability, privacy, data protection and non-discrimination.
These points emerged from contributions from different stakeholder groups, such as the G20 Social, the L20 and the Digital Economy Working Group. These Forums mainly brought perspectives on the potential and challenges of AI in areas such as health, education, the environment and the labor market. They also discussed the integrity of digital information, innovation in neurotechnology and the impacts of AI on society.
AI and ethical governance
The G20 declaration highlighted the advancement of AI as an opportunity for the development of the digital economy, but stressed the need for an ethical and human-centered approach. The text proposed safeguards to mitigate risks, combat algorithmic biases, and ensure human oversight in the application of the technology. AI governance should follow principles such as those of UNESCO and MERCOSUR on human rights, ethics, and AI, aligning technological progress with human values.
The document also recognized the importance of social dialogue and collective bargaining in the adoption of AI in the workplace. The groups suggested training and continuous learning policies to prepare workers for technological changes. In addition, they prioritized commitments to reducing digital inequalities and inclusion in sectors such as health and education.
Combating disinformation and information integrity
The G20 addressed the issue of combating disinformation on topics such as climate change. It also launched the Global Initiative for Information Integrity, with support from the UN and UNESCO. The goal is to promote, above all, a responsible and trustworthy digital environment, demanding greater transparency and accountability from digital platforms.
Social participation as a pillar of the G20 declaration
The inclusion of ethical principles in the Declaration reflects the contributions of social movements, trade unions, academics and international organizations. Thus, the G20 Social and L20 played crucial roles in connecting global debates to local realities and proposing practical guidelines for the ethical use of AI, many of which were incorporated into the final text. In fact, the historical experience of summits such as Rio+20 and the World Social Forum reinforces the importance of opening spaces for civil society in international forums.
G20 and AI Governance in the Future
Under Brazilian leadership, the 2024 G20 marked advances in the ethical and responsible governance of AI, with a focus on human rights. Furthermore, these precedents will be fundamental for the continuation of discussions under the South African presidency in 2025. And all to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably and that risks are mitigated in a changing world.
The article G20 says AI is fundamental to a sustainable world and human rights was first seen on BeInCrypto Brasil.