“AI capabilities today are concentrated in a handful of powerful companies – and even fewer countries. Meanwhile, too many countries face significant challenges in accessing AI tools,” António Guterres told a forum on capacity building in artificial intelligence in Shanghai, China.
Bridging that gap is all the more important given the potential of AI for sustainable development. With many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are off track, artificial intelligence can help save the development agenda.
“To truly harness the potential of AI, we need international cooperation and solidarityMr Guterres added.
Risks also unevenly distributed
The UN chief also stressed that while the benefits of AI are not evenly distributed, neither are the risks.
“Without adequate measures, AI could further widen inequality and the digital divide, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable,” he warned.
“We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the foundation for inclusive governance of AI – for the benefit of all humanity.“
Unique opportunities
Mr Guterres noted that the upcoming Top of the futurewith governments expected to endorse a new Global Digital Compact as a key forum for achieving just that.
He also highlighted the efforts being made within the UN system.
For example, the UN High-level Advisory Body on AI is expected to make a series of recommendations in its final report this month, including the establishment of an AI Capacity Development Network, the creation of a Global AI Fund for SDGs, and the development of a Global Data Framework for local AI ecosystems.
Official visit to China
The Secretary-General is on an official visit to China, where he will participate in the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit in Beijing on Thursday morning (local time).
He will also meet with senior government officials and with UN offices and agencies in the country.
Last weekend, Mr Guterres was in Singapore, where he met with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other senior officials.
