Looking at the agenda of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, it is clear that AI has become an issue receiving particular attention from countries around the world.
Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, pointed out that while only five delegations had raised the issue of AI at the General Assembly four years ago, the number had risen to 128 at this year’s session, with numerous questions being raised about oversight and accountability in AI development.
This figure shows that concerns over the risks emerging alongside the technology’s rapid advances cannot be ignored.
This is creating a paradox in the technology market, as major corporations deeply involved in the race to develop AI models are themselves calling for the pace of development and upgrades to be slowed.
Going beyond calls for caution, OpenAI has confirmed that it would not release its latest AI model after internal testing showed that the model did not meet safety standards.
AI is also no longer simply a technological issue, but is becoming a matter with major implications for global peace and security.
AI is not an issue for individual countries alone. It is becoming a global governance challenge, raising common questions such as: Who designs the technology, who benefits from it, who bears the risks, and who will be held responsible when harm occurs?
There are growing calls for the establishment of a global framework for managing AI risks. In practice, however, establishing common “rules of the game” for this advanced technology is far from easy.
Some argue that globally binding mechanisms could hamper technological development and innovation.
Another factor is the differing views among governments on how AI should be regulated, as AI development is closely linked to each country’s competitive advantages in technology and the economy.
The US, one of the world’s leading AI development hubs, currently appears inclined to limit legally binding regulations on the technology sector and place greater reliance on the industry’s ability to regulate itself.
Technology companies themselves also face a difficult dilemma. Advanced AI products are regarded as key products and “cash cows” for some companies. If a company chooses to slow down its AI development while its competitors continue to expand, it risks losing its position in the market.
Clearly, as countries and technology companies remain divided in terms of economic interests, technological security and levels of development, reaching a common set of rules for AI governance worldwide will not be easy.
The global AI race is entering a new phase, as corporations shift their focus from rapidly developing technology models towards managing the pace of development and associated risks.
The future of AI will not be determined solely in laboratories. It will also depend on coordinated action and the responsibility of governments, regulators and businesses to establish governance measures that do not stifle innovation and development, while ensuring that risks are not left unchecked.
