Eminent Indian Tech Experts Appointed To Global AI Governance Advisory Body

In a significant development, distinguished technology experts from India have been appointed to a novel global advisory body unveiled by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The primary objective of this advisory body, composed of experts spanning various domains, is to facilitate the international community's endeavors in regulating artificial intelligence (AI).

It aims to establish a comprehensive scientific consensus concerning AI's associated risks and challenges, promote AI's use for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and reinforce global cooperation in AI governance.

UN's AI Governance Initiative

The United Nations' AI governance initiative is a critical response to the burgeoning role of AI in contemporary society. The initiative draws together experts from diverse sectors, including government, private industry, research, civil society, and academia, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to AI governance.

With the advent of AI, it has become increasingly vital to ensure that its deployment aligns with the principles of ethical and responsible use, while also addressing pressing global issues such as climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Eminent Members

The advisory body boasts prominent members with deep expertise in various facets of AI and technology. Amandeep Singh Gill, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, brings a background in digital health and AI research. Sharad Sharma, co-founder of the iSPIRT Foundation, contributes his experience and insights garnered from diverse technology-related endeavors.

Nazneen Rajani, a Lead Researcher at Hugging Face, specializes in AI safety and alignment, particularly concerning Large Language Models. These experts, alongside their international counterparts, form a collective reservoir of knowledge and perspectives that are invaluable in shaping responsible AI governance.

AI's Transformative Potential and Responsibilities

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlines the transformative potential of AI, particularly in addressing global challenges like climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. However, he also sounds a note of caution regarding the responsible usage and accessibility of AI, especially in developing nations.

Guterres highlights the present concentration of AI expertise within a limited number of companies and countries, which could exacerbate global inequalities.

Challenges and Concerns

The potential pitfalls of AI are not overlooked. Guterres points out the negative impacts, including misinformation, bias, discrimination, surveillance, privacy infringement, fraud, and human rights violations.

He emphasizes the need to counter malicious uses of AI that could undermine trust in institutions, social cohesion, and democratic values. In response to these challenges, he calls for a global, multidisciplinary, and multistakeholder dialogue on AI governance, with the newly formed advisory body serving as an inaugural step.

Inclusive and Collaborative Approach

The establishment of the AI Advisory Body marks a significant stride in the UN's quest to tackle AI governance on an international scale. This initiative aims to take a globally inclusive approach, capitalizing on the UN's role as a universal platform for addressing critical challenges.

The advisory body's mission encompasses engagement with existing and emerging AI governance initiatives, with the goal of presenting preliminary recommendations by the close of 2023, followed by comprehensive recommendations in the summer of 2024, leading up to the Summit of the Future.

Latest and relevant facts about AI Advisory Body :

• The AI Advisory Body is expected to deliver preliminary recommendations by the end of 2023, followed by final recommendations in the summer of 2024.

• The body will connect with existing and emerging AI governance initiatives, and its recommendations will be presented to the Summit of the Future in 2024.

• The UN Secretary-General has called for a global, multidisciplinary, and multistakeholder conversation on AI governance.

Conclusion:

The establishment of the UN AI Advisory Body is a significant step in the international community's efforts to govern artificial intelligence. The body is expected to play a key role in developing global norms and standards for AI governance, and its recommendations will be closely watched by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations around the world.