He expressed concern that without investment many countries will be “disconnected” from the AI era.
“Our goal is $3 billion,” he said. “That’s less than one percent of the annual revenue of a single technology company.”
He called this “a small price for the spread of AI that benefits everyone, including the companies that create AI.”
UN initiatives
World leaders have gathered in India for the AI Impact Summit taking place from 2023.
This year’s meeting marks the first time it has been held in the Global South, with previous sessions taking place in France, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
The Secretary-General emphasized the efforts the UN is making to ensure that AI development is properly governed, especially the creation of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI at last year’s General Assembly.
The panel of 40 leading global experts, appointed last week, seeks to share evidence and close knowledge gaps by analyzing the risks, opportunities and social impacts of AI.
“AI should be for everyone“said the Secretary General in relation to the panel.
He urged Member States, industry and civil society to contribute to his work.
Guardrails are needed to protect people and the planet
Guterres also highlighted the launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and its inaugural session in July. “We need barriers that preserve human action, human oversight and human responsibility,” he said.
“If done right, AI can advance the Sustainable Development Goals. It can accelerate advances in medicine, expand learning opportunities, strengthen food security, strengthen climate action and disaster preparedness, and improve access to vital public services,” he said.
The Secretary General also shared his concern about the negative results if the growth of AI is not regulated and said: “IIt can also deepen inequality, amplify prejudice and fuel harm..”
As AI energy and water demands increase, data centers and supply chains must also shift to clean energy and not shift costs to vulnerable communities.
“We must invest in workers so that AI increases human potential, not replace it,” he said.
Regarding security, he stressed that people must be protected from exploitation, manipulation and abuse.
“No child should be subjected to unregulated AI testing,” he said.
“Real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet. So let’s build AI for everyone, with dignity as the default setting.”