Artificial Intelligence Should Bolster Shared Values, Serve Global Good, Secretary-General Tells Summit in Video Message

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Artificial Intelligence for Global Good Summit, in Geneva today:

Thank you for coming together to discuss a challenge of growing global importance.  As someone with a background in engineering, I am deeply interested in the remarkable phenomenon of artificial intelligence.  And as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I am strongly committed to promoting global cooperation on this emerging issue.

Artificial intelligence is advancing dramatically.  It is already transforming our world socially, economically and politically.  We face a new frontier — with advances moving at warp speed.  Artificial intelligence can help analyse enormous volumes of data, which in turn can improve predictions, prevent crimes and help Governments better serve people.

But, there are also serious challenges — and ethical issues at stake.  There are real concerns about cybersecurity, human rights and privacy — not to mention the obvious and significant impact on the labour market.

The implications for development are enormous.  Developing countries can gain from the benefits of artificial intelligence.  But, they also face the highest risk of being left behind.

This Summit can help ensure that artificial intelligence charts a course that benefits humanity and bolsters our shared values.  The United Nations stands ready to be a universal platform for discussion.  Together, let us make sure we use artificial intelligence to enhance human dignity and serve the global good.  Thank you.