Big Data Can Serve as ‘a Remarkable Tool’ to Advancing Global Progress, Says Secretary-General, in Message for China Expo

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Big Data Industry Expo 2019, taking place in Guiyang, China, from 26 to 29 May:

It is a pleasure to greet this Big Data Industry Expo.

Big data and its application to artificial intelligence have great potential to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.  From medicine to transportation to farming, big data presents the world with a remarkable tool to advance global progress.

Yet, with that opportunity comes risks.  Algorithms can help to identify who will benefit from new medical treatments, but can also be used to invade privacy and violate human rights.  Drone technology can help farmers increase their yields with targeted pesticides, but it can also be used in lethal autonomous weapon systems — something that we cannot accept.

We must work together to ensure that big data, and the technologies that it enables, are harnessed for the benefit of humankind while minimizing the risks to development, peace and security and human rights.

For this reason, I launched a high-level panel on digital cooperation co‑chaired by Jack Ma and Melinda Gates.  The panel has consulted with people and organizations around the world and will present its final report next month.  I encourage you to read and reflect on the panel’s analysis so that, together, we can create a digital world that we are proud to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Please accept my best wishes for a fruitful Expo.