Humanity finds itself in a desperate struggle against time to effectively utilize the immense emerging potential of artificial intelligence for the betterment of all, while concurrently warding off severe risks, conveyed a prominent UN official on Thursday.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the director of the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU), stated, “We have unleashed forces beyond our control,” while emphasizing the urgency of the situation at the commencement of a two-day AI for Good Global Summit held in Geneva.
In a session attended by numerous individuals, the audience was informed about the remarkable recent advancements in AI, particularly in generative AI, that are accelerating endeavors to address critical global issues like climate change, food insecurity, and social welfare.
Expressing optimism, Bogdan-Martin remarked, “I see a unique opportunity in our time to steer AI towards benefitting the entirety of humanity,” in an interview with AFP prior to the summit.
However, she pointed out with concern that a significant portion of the global population remains excluded from the AI revolution, lacking access to digital resources and technological advancements, thereby exacerbating the existing socio-digital disparities.
Emphasizing the dual nature of AI’s potential impact, she stressed the crucial need to ensure the safety and ethical use of AI systems, given the enormous power they possess.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of governance and regulatory frameworks in mitigating potential negative consequences of AI, experts at the conference deliberated on the imperative to align technological advancements with societal well-being and security.
The discussions underscored the importance of proactively addressing issues like cybersecurity, misinformation dissemination, and the socio-economic implications of AI, while advocating for a more inclusive, sustainable, and secure future driven by collaborative efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals.
