UN and China Lead Global Push for Equitable AI Access and Benefits

The UN General Assembly has adopted a Chinese-sponsored resolution, with US support, aimed at closing the gap between wealthy and poorer nations in access to and benefits from artificial intelligence (AI).

Key details of the resolution: The non-binding resolution calls on the international community to ensure a fair, open, and inclusive business environment for AI development and use, and to bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries:

• It follows a US-led resolution adopted in March that gave global support to ensuring AI is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and accessible to all nations.
• The adoption of both resolutions by consensus demonstrates widespread global backing for the US and China’s leadership on this issue, despite their rivalries in other areas.

Complementary resolutions and cooperation: China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong emphasized that the two resolutions are complementary, with the US measure being more general and the Chinese one focusing on capacity building:

• He praised the positive role the US has played in the process and expressed China’s desire to intensify cooperation with the US and other countries on AI, given its far-reaching implications.
• However, Fu strongly criticized recent US Treasury Department restrictions on US investments in China related to AI, computer chips, and quantum computing, calling for these sanctions to be lifted.

Broader implications and next steps: Both resolutions highlight the potential benefits and dangers of AI, and recognize the need for further discussions on governance approaches:

• The Chinese resolution stresses the central role the UN should play in AI governance as the most representative and inclusive international forum.
• Ambassador Fu noted that while these resolutions focus on civilian applications, the military dimension of AI is also important, and some countries may propose a General Assembly resolution on this aspect later this year, which China broadly supports.

The adoption of these resolutions marks an important step in global cooperation on AI governance, with the US and China taking leading roles despite their differences. As the technology rapidly advances, the international community will need to continue working together to ensure that AI benefits all nations while mitigating its risks and challenges.