United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, recently made a significant visit to Silicon Valley, bringing attention to the importance of international AI governance. During his visit to San Francisco, Turk emphasized the crucial need for companies to prioritize human rights concerns in technological innovation, specifically within the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).
Turk engaged in roundtable discussions at prestigious institutions such as Berkeley Law and Stanford Law, as well as presented at the offices of the European Union. He underscored the necessity of collaboration between governments, civil society, and international bodies to uphold democracy and human rights in the age of AI.
This focus on responsible innovation aligns with the establishment of the UN AI Advisory Body by Secretary-General António Guterres at the end of last year. The advisory body comprises 39 experts from various technology, government, and academic fields, selected to provide guidance on AI governance.
António Guterres acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in areas such as crisis management, public health, education, and advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. However, he also highlighted the risks associated with unchecked AI development, including misinformation, bias reinforcement, privacy violations, and threats to human rights. Guterres emphasized the necessity of ethical AI development and comprehensive regulation to mitigate these risks.
The AI Advisory Body released an interim report on AI governance in December 2023, proposing guiding principles and functions for a global governance framework. The body is scheduled to publish a comprehensive AI governance report in mid-2024, with a focus on addressing global disparities in AI development and deployment.
Looking ahead, the Summit of the Future in September 2024 will provide a platform for discussions surrounding AI governance, with representatives from various industries worldwide expected to attend. The global conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the responsible advancement of AI technology.
