The Risks of Artificial Intelligence: Threats to Democracy and Human Rights
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of fascination for many years, with its potential to revolutionize industries and improve our daily lives. However, the United Nations secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, has warned that AI is being used to spread disinformation and hate, posing a threat to democracy and human rights. In this article, we will explore the risks posed by AI and the proposal for the creation of an international watchdog to monitor the technology.
The Risks of AI
Generative AI technology has recently gained popularity due to its ability to perform natural language processing tasks such as answering questions, summarizing text, and even generating lines of code. However, AI has also become a focus of concern over its ability to create misinformation and deep fakes, which are AI-generated images and videos that mimic people.
Guterres has warned that the risks posed by AI threaten democracy and human rights. He stated that while technological advancement has been used for some good, the potential for AI to spread disinformation and hate is alarming. He added that the alarm bells over generative AI are deafening and that we must take those warnings seriously.
Proposal for an International Watchdog
Guterres has backed a proposal by some artificial intelligence executives for the creation of an international watchdog body similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA was created in 1957 and promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies while watching for possible violations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty for nuclear weapons. It has 176 member states.
ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI has suggested that a body like the IAEA could place restrictions on deployment, vet compliance with safety standards, and track usage of computing power. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also supported the idea and said he wants Britain to be home to global AI safety regulation. Britain is due to host a summit this year on how coordinated international action can tackle the risks of AI.
Philosophy Professor Robert Sparrow from Australia’s Monash University told Al Jazeera that regulation is going to be a global issue that does create some difficulties but he does not think only one agency is going to regulate AI. “We are looking for a culture change, particularly in engineering and computer science but also across government and civil society,” he said.
Guterres has announced plans to start work by the end of the year on a high-level AI advisory body to regularly review AI governance arrangements and offer recommendations on how they can align with human rights, the rule of law, and common good. He said that, in the coming days, he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board of AI experts and chief scientists from UN agencies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the risks posed by AI threaten democracy and human rights. The potential for AI to spread disinformation and hate is alarming, and we must take those warnings seriously. The proposal for the creation of an international watchdog to monitor the technology is gaining support from artificial intelligence executives, world leaders, and experts. While regulation is going to be a global issue that does create some difficulties, we are looking for a culture change across engineering and computer science, government, and civil society. The creation of an international watchdog could place restrictions on deployment, vet compliance with safety standards, and track usage of computing power, ensuring that AI aligns with human rights, the rule of law, and common good.