UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) poses risks to democratic systems, exacerbating disinformation and gender inequality. He called on countries to establish guidelines for AI governance and promote responsible use. Guterres noted the potential benefits of AI, including increased public participation and equality, but stressed the need for international cooperation to mitigate risks.
UN Secretary-General Calls for Global AI Governance Standards
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could destabilize democratic systems if left unchecked. In a speech marking the International Day of Democracy, Guterres called on countries to establish guidelines for AI governance.
Guterres’ warning comes amid growing concerns about the role of AI in disinformation campaigns. Kenyan President William Ruto recently warned against AI-fueled disinformation. Other African leaders, including NEPAD’s Nardos Bekele, have stressed the need for engagement to harness technology for social good.
However, Guterres noted in remarks published on UN News that AI can promote public participation, increase equality and contribute to human development if used responsibly. On promoting gender equality, the UN chief stressed that AI must serve humanity in a fair and safe manner. He said that this is not happening now. To illustrate this point, the UN News report said:
“Harmful social norms and gender-based violence continue to impede women’s political empowerment, and media stereotypes often undermine their ability to lead. In addition, online threats of violence against women in politics and public life are on the rise, potentially exacerbated by AI technology.”
To combat this, the UN chief has urged member states to use the upcoming Future Summit as a platform to discuss ways to strengthen international cooperation on AI. Guterres said a global consensus on AI would allow governments to prevent the technology from being used to promote hate speech and distort public opinion through deepfakes.
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