UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly adopted a Chinese-sponsored resolution with U.S. support urging wealthy developed nations to close the widening gap with developing countries and ensure they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence.
The resolution approved Monday follows the March 21 adoption of the first U.N. resolution on artificial intelligence spearheaded by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries including China. It gave global support to the international effort to ensure that AI is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and that all nations can take advantage of it.
Adoption of the two nonbinding resolutions shows that the United States and China, rivals in many areas, are both determined to be key players in shaping the future of the powerful new technology — and have been cooperating on the first important international steps.
The adoption of both resolutions by consensus by the 193-member General Assembly shows widespread global support for their leadership on the issue.
Fu Cong, China’s U.N. ambassador, told reporters Monday that the two resolutions are complementary, with the U.S. measure being “more general” and the just-adopted one focusing on “capacity building.”
He called the Chinese resolution, which had more than 140 sponsors, “great and far-reaching,” and said, “We’re very appreciative of the positive role that the U.S. has played in this whole process.”
Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, said Tuesday that the Chinese-sponsored resolution “was negotiated so it would further the vision and approach the U.S. set out in March.”
“We worked diligently and in good faith with developing and developed countries to strengthen the text, ensuring it reaffirms safe, secure, and trustworthy AI that respects human rights, commits to digital inclusion, and advances sustainable development,” Evans said.
Fu said that AI technology is advancing extremely fast and the issue has been discussed at very senior levels, including by the U.S. and Chinese leaders.
“We do look forward to intensifying our cooperation with the United States and for that matter with all countries in the world on this issue, which … will have far-reaching implications in all dimensions,” he said.
The Chinese ambassador, however, strongly criticized the U.S. Treasury Department’s proposed rule, announced on June 21, that would restrict and monitor U.S. investments in China for artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.
“We are firmly opposed to these sanctions,” Fu said. China doesn’t believe the rule will be “helpful to the healthy development of the AI technology per se, and will, by extension, divide the world in terms of the standards, and in terms of the rules governing AI.” He called on the U.S. to lift the sanctions.
The Chinese resolution calls on the international community “to provide and promote a fair, open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory business environment,” from AI’s design and development to its use. Fu said that China doesn’t think the U.S. actions foster an inclusive business environment.
Both the U.S. and Chinese resolutions focus on the civilian applications of AI, but Fu told reporters the military dimension of AI is also very important.
“We do believe that it is necessary for the international community to take measures to reduce the dangers and the risks posed by the development of AI,” he said.
China is actively participating in negotiations in Geneva on controlling lethal autonomous weapons, Fu said, adding that some countries are considering proposing a U.N. General Assembly resolution this year on the military dimension of AI — “and we are in broad support of that initiative.”
Both the U.S. and Chinese resolutions warned of the dangers of AI while also touting its potential benefits in promoting economic development and the lives of people everywhere.
The U.S. resolution recognizes that “the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area” that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches. It calls on countries to ensure that personal data is protected, human rights are safeguarded, and AI is monitored for potential risks.
Fu, who headed the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s arms control department from 2018 to 2022, said that Beijing put forward the resolution because of the widening gap in AI technology between the developed North and developing South.
He said China also wanted to highlight the central role the United Nations should play in AI governance as “the most representative and most inclusive international forum.”
The Chinese resolution resolves “to bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries,” and promote international cooperation, including sharing knowledge and transferring technology to developing countries.
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Rephrased content:
The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a resolution sponsored by China and backed by the United States, calling on wealthy developed nations to help bridge the gap with developing countries in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). This resolution emphasizes the necessity for equal opportunities for all nations to utilize and benefit from AI technologies. It comes after the initial U.N. resolution on AI was adopted on March 21, an initiative led by the U.S. and supported by 123 countries, including China, to ensure the safety, security, and trustworthiness of AI on a global scale.
The unanimous approval of both resolutions by the 193-member General Assembly indicates broad international support for the collaborative efforts of the United States and China in shaping the future of AI technologies. The Chinese ambassador to the U.N., Fu Cong, highlighted the complementary nature of the two resolutions, with the U.S.-led measure being more general and the recently adopted one focusing on capacity-building to facilitate AI advancements.
Despite being rivals in various areas, China and the U.S. have demonstrated their commitment to working together and leading on crucial international AI governance matters. Fu expressed appreciation for the positive role played by the U.S. during the resolution process. The U.S. mission spokesperson, Nate Evans, noted that the Chinese-sponsored resolution aligns with the vision set forth by the U.S. in March.
While acknowledging the rapid advancement of AI technologies, Fu emphasized the importance of international cooperation in managing the risks associated with AI development. The Chinese resolution calls for creating a fair, open, and inclusive business environment for AI activities from design to implementation, highlighting China’s stance against restrictive measures like the U.S. Treasury Department’s proposed rules on AI investments in China.
Both resolutions emphasize the civilian applications of AI but also underscore the significance of addressing the military implications of AI development. Fu mentioned China’s involvement in talks on controlling lethal autonomous weapons in Geneva and expressed support for a potential U.N. General Assembly resolution addressing the military dimension of AI.
In conclusion, the resolutions by both China and the U.S. stress the hazards and advantages of AI technologies while urging international cooperation to limit risks and promote economic progress globally. The resolutions underscore the need for ongoing discussions on AI governance, protection of personal data, safeguarding human rights, and monitoring AI for potential risks. China proposed the resolution to bridge the gap in AI technology between developed and developing nations, emphasizing the vital role of the United Nations in AI governance. The resolution aims to narrow the digital divides between countries and promote knowledge-sharing and technology transfer to support AI development in the global south.
