UN advisory body proposes new measures for AI governance

The United Nations Artificial Intelligence advisory body has released its final report, outlining seven key recommendations to address AI-related risks and governance gaps. The report was released on Thursday and will be presented at a U.N. summit in September. 

The 39-member body appointed by the UN last year has suggested the establishment of a global body to offer objective and credible scientific information on AI. This panel would help to equalize the state of information between the AI developers and the rest of the population by providing a comprehensive view of the subject and its developments. 

Advisory body warns of AI monopolization risks

Furthermore, the report calls for new policy conversations on how to govern AI, the proposed measures include the creation of an AI standards exchange. This will promote the development of international guidelines. According to the report it will further help countries to exchange information on the best ways to regulate the use of AI technologies.

In its report, the advisory body also warned of the risks of monopolization of AI by a few big multinational corporations. In order to mitigate these risks, the U.N. recommended the creation of a Global AI Capacity Development Network. This will be to improve governance in countries that lack the infrastructure or personnel to tackle the issue of regulating AI.

One of the main recommendations in the report is the creation of a global AI fund. This fund would be intended to help fill in the gaps in collaboration and capacity building. This will facilitate AI governance availability in all countries, irrespective of their levels of technological advancement. 

UN proposes global AI data system to increase accountability

Another of the report’s recommendations is that there should be a global AI data system. With this framework in place, it would be easier to hold AI operations more responsible for data management, privacy, and decisions made by algorithms. The advisory body said that such measures are important to build public trust in AI and to prevent its misuse. 

In addition, the UK will hold a conference in San Francisco on the 21st and 22nd of November concerning the safety of AI. The event will consist of several workshops and sessions aimed at improving the safety measures and guidelines for the development of AI. This conference is held before the AI Action Summit, which will be held in France in February 2025. The topic of the discussion will be the safety and regulation of AI.