<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening of the World AI Conference in Shanghai on Friday, Guterres described AI as \u201chumanity’s greatest opportunity in the 21st century\u201d but warned that it could also become \u201cone of its greatest risks\u201d if its development and governance are not managed inclusively. \u201cTechnology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all of humanity,\u201d Guterres said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Guterres stressed that AI governance cannot be left in the hands of a small number of countries or corporations. \u201cEvery nation needs a seat at the table,\u201d Guterres said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The remarks come as the UN intensifies efforts to establish a more inclusive global framework for AI governance. Recent initiatives include the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, the creation of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Guterres, the focus must now shift from commitments to implementation, ensuring all countries have access to the knowledge, resources and capacity needed to benefit from AI.<\/p>\n
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Guterres said AI has the potential to accelerate medical breakthroughs, improve education, strengthen food systems and support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n
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However, Guterres warned that many developing countries risk being left behind. \u201cOne-third of humanity is still offline,\u201d Guterres said.<\/p>\n
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Guterres noted that computing power, technical expertise and investment remain concentrated in a relatively small number of countries and companies, a trend that could widen existing inequalities.<\/p>\n
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\u201cUnless those disparities are addressed, AI could lead to greater inequalities, greater divides in income, in opportunity, in security,\u201d Guterres said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To help bridge this gap, Guterres said more than 20 countries, including China, have nominated centres to participate in a UN-supported Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Guterres also announced plans to present recommendations for a Global Fund for AI, designed to improve access to AI capabilities and infrastructure for developing nations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Setting out priorities for the future, Guterres highlighted three key areas requiring urgent attention: expanding AI capacity in developing countries, establishing international safety standards and improving environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Guterres, developing countries should be able to build AI systems using local data, languages and expertise rather than relying solely on technologies developed elsewhere.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Guterres also called for internationally recognised standards on testing, safety and risk management. \u201cHuman rights must be protected,\u201d Guterres said. \u201cHumans must keep control over every life-and-death decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Guterres added that \u201cno AI system should be put in a child’s hands before it has been proven safe\u201d.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On environmental sustainability, Guterres urged major AI companies to disclose the environmental impact of their systems and transition operations to renewable energy by 2030. \u201cThe defining question is whether that transformation will reduce inequalities or reinforce them,\u201d Guterres said. \u201cWhether it will concentrate power or expand opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":39843,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[26],"class_list":["post-39842","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has called for closer cooperation between governments and technology companies to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) benefits all countries rather than deepening global inequalities.","published_date":"","news_description":"The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has called for closer cooperation between governments and technology companies to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) benefits all countries rather than deepening global inequalities.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39842\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39844,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39842\/revisions\/39844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=39842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}