UN Adopts Resolution on Closing Gap in Access to Artificial Intelligence

FILE -Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations addresses members of the UN Security Council during a meeting on Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, April 24, 2024 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Chinese-sponsored resolution with US support urging wealthy developed nations to close the widening gap with poorer developing countries and ensure that they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence.
The resolution approved Monday follows the March 21 adoption of the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence spearheaded by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries including China. It gave global support to the international effort to ensure that AI is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and that all nations can take advantage of it.
Adoption of the two non-binding resolutions shows that the United States and China, rivals in many areas, are both determined to be key players in shaping the future of this powerful new technology — and have been cooperating on these first important international steps, The Associated Press reported.
The adoption of both resolutions by consensus by the 193-member General Assembly shows widespread global support for their leadership on the issue.
China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong told reporters Monday that the two resolutions are complementary, with the US measure being “more general” and the just-adopted one focusing on “capacity building.”
He called the Chinese resolution, which had over 140 sponsors, “great and far-reaching,” and said, “We’re very appreciative of the positive role that the US has played in this whole process.”
Fu said AI technology is advancing extremely fast and the issue has been discussed at very senior levels, including by the US and Chinese leaders.
“We do look forward to intensifying our cooperation with the United States and for that matter with all countries in the world on this issue, which ... will have far-reaching implications in all dimensions,” he said.
The Chinese ambassador, however, strongly criticized the US Treasury Department’s proposed rule, announced on June 21, that would restrict and monitor US investments in China for artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.
“We are firmly opposed to these sanctions,” Fu said. China doesn’t believe the rule will be “helpful to the healthy development of the AI technology per se, and will, by extension, divide the world in terms of the standards, and in terms of the rules governing AI.” He called on the US to lift the sanctions.
The Chinese resolution calls on the international community “to provide and promote a fair, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory business environment,” from AI’s design and development to its use. Fu said China doesn’t think the US actions foster an inclusive business environment.
Both the US and Chinese resolutions focus on the civilian applications of AI, but Fu told reporters the military dimension of artificial intelligence is also very important.
“We do believe that it is necessary for the international community to take measures to reduce the dangers and the risks posed by the development of AI,” he said.
China is actively participating in negotiations in Geneva on controlling lethal autonomous weapons, Fu said, adding that some countries are considering proposing a General Assembly resolution this year on the military dimension of AI — “and we are in broad support of that initiative.”
Both the US and Chinese resolutions warned of the dangers of AI while also touting its potential benefits in promoting economic development and the lives of people everywhere.
The US resolution recognizes that “the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area” that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches. It calls on countries to ensure that personal data is protected, human rights are safeguarded, and AI is monitored for potential risks.