International Cooperation, Solidarity Key to Truly Harnessing Artificial Intelligence’s Potential, Secretary-General Tells Shanghai Workshop

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks for the workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) and capacity-building, in Shanghai, China today:

I thank the Government of China for organizing this workshop on artificial intelligence and capacity-building.

We stand at a pivotal moment.

Artificial intelligence is developing at warp speed, transforming our world in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.

It has the potential to help rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and usher in a more durable and equitable future.

Recent research estimates that AI can help accelerate nearly 80 per cent of the SDGs.  Yet, we face a stark reality:  AI opportunities are not evenly shared.

AI capacities today are concentrated in a handful of powerful companies — and even fewer countries.  Meanwhile, too many countries face significant challenges in accessing AI tools.

To truly harness AI’s potential, we need international cooperation — and solidarity.  And we must urgently bridge the AI gap for developing countries.

The risks posed by AI are equally uneven.  Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI — for the benefit of all humanity.

As we build AI capacity, we must also develop shared knowledge and digital public goods.

This can be achieved through networks where expertise and AI training data are pooled and made available to everyone who needs them.

Interconnected AI centres across different countries and continents can accelerate the advancement of AI, promote data diversity and inclusivity, and foster cooperation rather than competition.

Governments are currently negotiating a Global Digital Compact to be adopted this month — at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York.

I am pleased that the proposed Compact includes new proposals on AI governance and capacity-building.

My High-level Advisory Body on AI will also issue its final report this month, with a series of recommendations including:

• Creating an AI Capacity Development Network that will connect AI centres and provide expertise and training data especially for developing countries;
• Establishing a Global Fund on AI for the Sustainable Development Goals.
• And developing a Global Data Framework, so that local AI ecosystems can flourish.

I hope for the engagement and support of all stakeholders.

The United Nations is uniquely placed to promote digital cooperation and support the global exchange of AI models and talent.

The recent decision of the General Assembly based on a Chinese proposal demonstrates that capacity of the United Nations.

The UN General Assembly has indeed already adopted two resolutions on the matter:

And the resolution led by China was exactly on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building.

And another by the United States on fostering safe, trustworthy and inclusive AI systems.

I urge you all to promote a collaborative AI, and to engage in partnerships that will flourish beyond this workshop.

As we approach the Summit of the Future, I encourage you to make your voices heard in the deliberations in New York.

Together, let us develop innovative and inclusive tools for AI governance and cooperation — and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.