Intro
In October 2023, the UN’s AI Advisory Body commenced work on a globally inclusive approach to AI governance. From over 1800 nominations across 128 countries, a 39-member advisory body was selected for the task. The group is comprised of experts from a variety of sectors, including tech company executives, academics, and government officials from nations both large and small. Their shared goal is to collaborate on guidelines that will harness the positive capabilities of AI while mitigating its risks.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had the following to say alongside the announcement of the advisory body’s creation. “For developing economies, AI offers the possibility of leapfrogging outdated technologies and bringing services directly to people who need them most. The transformative potential of AI for good is difficult even to grasp. And, without entering into a host of doomsday scenarios, it is already clear that the malicious use of AI could undermine trust in institutions, weaken social cohesion, and threaten democracy itself.”
AI Advisory Body Roadmap to Governance
According to the Secretary-General’s Tech Envoy, the advisory body is expected to release an interim update by the end of 2023 that maps out the AI governance landscape and options for regulation. The first quarter of 2024 will allow for extended consultations among stakeholder groups so that by the middle of 2024, the advisory body will be able to release a final report. All of this leads up to the Summit of the Future, planned for September 2024, when UN member states will consider the Global Digital Compact.
The establishment of the AI Advisory Body by the United Nations is a significant development in the international governance of artificial intelligence. The UN's track record in addressing critical challenges, coupled with its universal and inclusive forum, offers a globally inclusive approach to tackling the issues facing AI governance. This initiative marks a turning point in the way the world approaches the rapid advancements in AI and its impact on society.
The Multistakeholder Approach
When it comes to shaping the future of artificial intelligence, bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds is crucial. That is why the multi-stakeholder Body established for this purpose is not only global and gender-balanced but also interdisciplinary. With representatives from government, the private sector, the research community, civil society, and academia, this Body is uniquely positioned to help AI work for humanity. By pooling together knowledge, expertise, and insights from various sectors, the Body can help create ethical guidelines, promote responsible AI development, and ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society.
As the rapid advancements in AI continue to shape our world, the Body will take on the crucial role of building a worldwide scientific consensus on the potential risks and challenges presented by these new technologies. With AI's potential to drive sustainable development goals, it is imperative to leverage these technologies to promote positive outcomes. However, to ensure its responsible and ethical use, international cooperation on AI governance must also be strengthened. The Body's expertise in these areas will be essential in charting a course forward that is grounded in the latest scientific research and ethical considerations.
Supporting the Body
The UN is calling for support to the Body’s operations and the Secretariat, based in the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (OSET). Through their support, contributors will strengthen stakeholder cooperation on governing AI in the face of pressing technical breakthroughs, and thereby contribute to better-governed AI globally.
How Can Fairo Help?
Fairo is a SaaS platform focused on standards, simplicity, and governance to give organizations and their users the confidence to consume AI successfully and rapidly at scale. As additional AI governance guidelines are published, such as these from the UN, Fairo can help your organization with adherence.
Fairo is committed to being the industry-standard platform for helping your organization implement its AI governance framework and strategy. Fairo seamlessly integrates into your existing ecosystem and is easy to consume.
AI is a disruptive technology that will change how people work and live. We envision a world where AI is universally built responsibly, trusted, and not feared. We aim to provide an easy-to-use solution that helps organizations procure, develop, and deploy trustworthy AI solutions with confidence.
