Last Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the promotion of “safe, secure and trustworthy” AI systems.
The resolution (full text here), which underwent three months of negotiations, represents the first time the Assembly has adopted a resolution on regulating the emerging field. With the backing of over 120 Member States, the resolution asks the States “to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights.”
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Further, the first global resolution on AI asks “all States, the private sector, civil society, research organizations and the media, to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy use of AI.”
The original draft for the resolution was introduced by US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who expressed hope that the “inclusive and constructive dialogue that led to this resolution would serve as a model for future conversations on AI challenges in other arenas, for example, with respect to peace and security and responsible military use of AI autonomy.”
Reception to the resolution has thus far been warm, with Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith taking to X to write, “We fully support the @UN’s adoption of the comprehensive AI resolution. The consensus reached today marks a critical step towards establishing international guardrails for the ethical and sustainable development of AI, ensuring this technology serves the needs of everyone.”
