UNESCO reiterates need for ethical global use of artificial intelligence
By Felicia Nwosu
As part of effort to uphold its values and in line with its mandate in promoting and protecting human rights, dignity and environmental sustainability, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reiterated the need to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails to advance essential principles such as transparency, accountability, and the rule of law online.
Revealing this on its LinkedIn handle, it stated that the recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, with its unique mandate on social and human sciences sector was adopted by acclamation by 193 Member States at UNESCO’s General Conference in November 2021. According to UNESCO, the recommendation emphasizes who should be in control of these technologies. It makes a strong call to governments around the world to establish the necessary institutional and legal frameworks to govern these technologies and ensure they contribute to the public good. It clearly signals the end of the “self-regulatory model” that has prevailed, prioritizing commercial and geopolitical objectives over people for too long.
This was achieved under the leadership of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, who explained the various processes countries could leverage to achieve ethical use of artificial intelligence across the board. The global organization noted that no other field is the ethical compass more relevant than in AI.
“We elaborated the world’s most comprehensive international framework to shape the development and use of AI technologies. This comprehensive instrument was two years in the making and the product of the broadest global consultation process of experts, developers, and other stakeholders from all around the world. It was an honour to spearhead this effort and support Member States in accomplishing this important task.”
It maintained that, across several topics, whether on genetic research, climate change, or scientific research, UNESCO has delivered global standards to maximize the benefits of the scientific discoveries, while minimizing the downside risks, ensuring they contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world.
“We have also identified frontier challenges in areas such as the ethics of neuro-technology, on climate engineering, and the internet of things. This has been done with the invaluable support of our expert committees, the Committee on the Ethics of Science and Technology and the International Bioethics Committee.
“These general-purpose technologies are re-shaping the way we work, interact, and live. The world is set to change at a pace not seen since the deployment of the printing press six centuries ago. AI technology brings major benefits in many areas, but without the ethical guardrails, it risks reproducing real world biases and discrimination, fueling divisions and threatening fundamental human rights and freedoms. AI business models are highly concentrated in just a few countries and a handful of firms — usually developed in male-dominated teams, without the cultural diversity that characterizes our world. Contrast this with the fact that half of the world’s population still can’t count on a stable internet connection,” the UNESCO DG explained.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.