United Nations Launches AI Advisory Body to Guide Governance and Regulation

In a recent development, the United Nations (U.N.) has established a 39-member advisory body aimed at addressing issues related to the international governance of artificial intelligence (AI). Amandeep Singh Gill, the U.N.'s tech envoy, emphasized that an interim AI report released by the U.N. will play a pivotal role in prompting governments and the private sector to reevaluate their approaches to AI governance, associated risks, and opportunities.

The newly formed U.N. advisory body is set to provide its initial report by the end of this year, with a comprehensive final report expected next year. Amandeep Singh Gill stated, "We need to examine the landscape of existing governance responses across borders, and then see where the gaps are and how we can connect the governance responses together so that there are no gaps."

Appointed as the U.N.'s tech envoy by Secretary-General António Guterres last year, Gill's mandate involves coordinating tech-related matters within the U.N., encompassing a wide spectrum of issues from AI to neural technologies.

The rapidly evolving nature of technology has posed challenges for regulators and lawmakers worldwide. Notably, the Group of Seven (G7) industrial countries has already reached a consensus on a code of conduct for companies involved in advanced AI development. Meanwhile, Europe is on the brink of finalizing new AI regulations, and U.S. President Joe Biden recently issued a new executive order concerning AI.

Furthermore, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to host the world's first global AI safety summit this week, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of AI governance and safety measures.

The recommendations put forth by the AI advisory body will be a central point of discussion during a U.N. summit scheduled for September next year. In June, Secretary-General Guterres endorsed a proposal by some AI industry leaders to establish an international AI watchdog body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Amandeep Singh Gill emphasized that the U.N. offers a platform for national jurisdictions to collaborate and address the application of AI standards, as well as the potential need for updates. The AI advisory body, co-chaired by Spanish digital minister Carme Artigas and Alphabet's James Manyika, is slated to hold both in-person and virtual meetings as part of its mandate.