UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for more inclusive global governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying the technology should be shaped by all nations rather than “a handful of countries” or companies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Mr Guterres described AI as “humanity’s greatest opportunity in the 21st century”, while warning it could also become “one of its greatest risks”. He said AI has the potential to advance healthcare, education, food security and employment, supporting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Guterres warned that one-third of the world remains offline and said the key challenge is ensuring AI “will reduce inequalities” rather than “reinforce them”. He concluded by urging governments and industry to work together to make AI “a force for dignity, opportunity, and sustainable development for all”.
The Secretary-General also welcomed the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), describing it as the “natural development” of President Xi Jinping’s 2023 Global AI Governance Initiative.
The new intergovernmental organisation, headquartered in Shanghai and established by 29 founding countries, aims to promote international cooperation and global AI governance while supporting the safe, equitable and inclusive development of artificial intelligence in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh
