Translated with AI
UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the first meeting of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the historic responsibility of the experts tasked by the General Assembly to develop recommendations for the global development of artificial intelligence, according to the UN press service.
Congratulating the group members on their appointment, the UN chief noted that the world expects them to provide clarity at a time when technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. He added that if anyone today feels that change is happening too quickly, they should remember that never in the future will humanity move as slowly as it does now.
Guterres recalled that back in 2017, when he first took over as UN Secretary-General, the term "artificial intelligence" was rarely mentioned in speeches by world leaders. Today, he said, artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming economies and societies.
He emphasized that no single state, company, or scientific discipline can see the full picture of the changes taking place on its own.
"The world urgently needs a shared, global understanding of artificial intelligence—based not on ideology, but on science; not on fake news, but on knowledge," the UN Secretary-General said, addressing participants of the meeting, which was held virtually.
The UN chief noted that in a context of growing geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts, independent and authoritative scientific assessments are becoming especially important.
According to him, the group's tasks include assessing the already evident social and economic consequences of the application of technological solutions.
Guterres stressed that artificial intelligence will impact peace and security, human rights and sustainable development – key areas of work for the United Nations – for decades to come.
