United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the establishment of a $3 billion fund to ensure that the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are accessible to all nations. Speaking from India, Guterres emphasized the critical need to develop skills, enhance data capacity, provide affordable computing power, and foster inclusive ecosystems for AI. He voiced concerns that without significant investment, many countries risk being excluded from the transformative era of AI.
“Our target is $3 billion,” Guterres stated. “That’s less than one per cent of the annual revenue of a single tech company.” He described this as a modest investment for widespread AI adoption that would benefit everyone, including the companies developing the technology.
UN Initiatives for AI Governance
The AI Impact Summit, held annually since 2023, has convened world leaders in India for its latest session. Notably, this year marks the first time the summit is hosted in the Global South, following previous editions in France, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Guterres highlighted the UN’s ongoing efforts to ensure the responsible governance of AI development. This includes the recent establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI during last year’s General Assembly. This panel comprises 40 leading global experts, appointed to provide evidence-based analysis on AI’s risks, opportunities, and societal impacts, aiming to bridge knowledge gaps.
“AI must belong to everyone,” Guterres asserted, underscoring the panel’s mission. He urged Member States, industry stakeholders, and civil society to actively contribute to the panel’s work.
Establishing Guardrails for AI Safety and Impact
Furthermore, Guterres announced the launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and its upcoming inaugural session in July. “We need guardrails that preserve human agency, human oversight, and human accountability,” he stressed.
He articulated the potential of AI to significantly advance the Sustainable Development Goals, citing its capacity to accelerate medical breakthroughs, expand educational opportunities, enhance food security, bolster climate action and disaster preparedness, and improve access to essential public services. However, Guterres also cautioned against the perils of unregulated AI growth, warning that it could exacerbate inequality, amplify bias, and foster harm.
With AI’s escalating demands for energy and water, Guterres insisted that data centers and supply chains must transition to clean energy sources, avoiding the burden of these costs on vulnerable communities. “We must invest in workers so AI augments human potential – not replaces it,” he urged.
On the safety front, Guterres underscored the imperative to protect individuals from exploitation, manipulation, and abuse. “No child should be a test subject for unregulated AI,” he declared.
In conclusion, Guterres stated, “Real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet. So let’s build AI for everyone – with dignity as the default setting.”
