By George Swarei
In remarks made to the Security Council the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has acknowledged the huge impact that Artificial Intelligence has on Sustainable development, the world of work, and the social fabric. The UN chief said he has been shocked and impressed by the newest form of AI, generative AI, which is a radical advance in its capabilities.
Mr Guterres described the speed and reach of AI in all its forms as utterly unprecedented. “It has been compared to the introduction of the printing press. But while it took more than fifty years for printed books to become widely available across Europe, ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just two months.” He said.
Mr Guterres highlighted that the finance industry estimates AI could contribute between $10 and $15 trillion US dollars to the global economy by 2030. “Almost every government, large company and organization in the world is working on an AI strategy. But even its own designers have no idea where their stunning technological breakthrough may lead. It is clear that AI will have an impact on every area of our lives – including the three pillars of the United Nations.”
The Secretary-General said AI offers new potential to realize human rights, particularly to health and education. But the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed alarm over evidence that AI can amplify bias, reinforce discrimination, and enable new levels of authoritarian surveillance.
Today’s debate is an opportunity to consider the impact of Artificial Intelligence on peace and security – where it is already raising political, legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns.
He urged the Council to approach this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens, and a learner’s mindset as AI is being put to work in connection with peace and security, including by the United Nations.
It is increasingly being used to identify patterns of violence, monitor ceasefires and more, helping to strengthen peacekeeping, mediation and humanitarian efforts.
On the flip side the UN chief said AI tools can also be used by those with malicious intent. “AI models can help people to harm themselves and each other, at massive scale. The malicious use of AI systems for terrorist, criminal or state purposes could cause horrific levels of death and destruction, widespread trauma, and deep psychological damage on an unimaginable scale. AI-enabled cyberattacks are already targeting critical infrastructure and our own peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, causing great human suffering.”
The advent of generative AI could be a defining moment for disinformation and hate speech – undermining truth, facts, and safety; adding a new dimension to the manipulation of human behaviour; and contributing to polarization and instability on a vast scale. Malfunctioning AI systems are another huge area of concern. And the interaction between AI and nuclear weapons, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and robotics is deeply alarming.
Generative AI has enormous potential for good and evil at scale. Its creators themselves have warned that much bigger, potentially catastrophic and existential risks lie ahead.
He warned that without action to address these risks, we are derelict in our responsibilities to present and future generations.
