UN global AI governance conference seeks common approach

Governments, international organisations, technology companies and academics gathered in Geneva this week for the United Nations' first high-level Global Dialogue on AI Governance, as countries seek common approaches to managing one of the world's fastest-growing technologies.

The two-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders and experts to discuss how artificial intelligence can be governed in a way that maximises its benefits while addressing growing concerns over safety, ethics, inequality and international cooperation.

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than regulation, prompting increasing calls for global coordination. Discussions focused on AI opportunities and risks, bridging the global AI divide, strengthening international cooperation and ensuring meaningful human oversight of AI systems.

Addressing the opening session, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said countries could benefit from learning from one another as they develop national AI governance frameworks. 

"We have seen different member states all around the globe which are now already introducing AI governance structures and therefore also learning from each other, being better together by joining forces. This is one of the key parts of these days here in Geneva," she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly warned that artificial intelligence is developing at unprecedented speed and stressed that international cooperation is essential to ensure the technology remains safe, inclusive and beneficial for all.

China was represented at the Dialogue by Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng, who described international cooperation as essential to AI governance. 

In his address, Li said all countries should have an equal opportunity to develop and benefit from artificial intelligence, reaffirming China's support for the United Nations as the primary platform for global AI governance. 

He also highlighted the importance of narrowing the global AI divide, particularly for developing countries.

Chinese AI experts also participated in the discussions. Yi Zeng, Wu Yuzhang Chair Professor at the Gaoling School of Artificial Intelligence at Renmin University of China, said countries should focus on building consensus rather than competing governance models. 

"We need a platform that puts all the considerations together to find the consensus interoperability instead of competing with each other. You find a way to connect with each other and to learn from each other," he said.

For the United Nations, the Global Dialogue marks an important step towards positioning Geneva as a forum where governments, industry and academia can work together to shape the future of global AI governance.