UN experts: AI development cannot be left to the whims of the market

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) should not be driven by market forces alone. UN experts have warned of this, calling for the creation of tools for global cooperation, AFP reports.

But they stopped short of suggesting the creation of a global governing body to oversee the spread and development of a technology whose proliferation raises concerns about bias, abuse and dependency.

The panel of about 40 experts from the fields of technology, law and data protection was founded by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in October.

Their report, released days before the Future Summit, raises concerns about the lack of global governance of AI, as well as the effective exclusion of developing countries from debates about the future of the technology.

Of the 193 UN member states, only 7 are part of the seven major AI-related initiatives, while 118 are completely excluded, mostly nations from the global south.

"Today, there is a global governance deficit with respect to AI" that is inherently cross-border, the experts warn in their report.

"AI must serve humanity in a fair and safe manner. If left unchecked, the dangers posed by AI could have serious consequences for democracy, peace and stability," Guterres said. | BGNES