• The UN advisory body proposes seven recommendations for AI governance, addressing risks and governance gaps.
• The recommendations include establishing a panel for impartial AI knowledge and a policy dialogue on AI governance.
• The UN also suggests creating a global AI fund and data framework for transparency and accountability.
• To ensure effective implementation, the UN proposes setting up a small AI office to strengthen global AI governance.

The United Nations (UN) advisory body has made a significant stride towards the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The body has proposed seven recommendations to address the risks and governance gaps associated with AI. The final report, released on Thursday, is the culmination of the advisory body's efforts, which was established by the UN last year with 39 members to address the international governance of AI. These recommendations are set to be discussed in a UN summit scheduled for September.

The advisory body has called for the establishment of a panel to provide impartial and reliable scientific knowledge about AI. This is aimed at addressing the information asymmetries between AI labs and the rest of the world. The need for such a panel has been underscored by the rapid spread of AI use since the release of Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT in 2022. This development has raised concerns about the potential for AI to fuel misinformation, fake news, and infringement of copyrighted material.

The governance of AI tools is a complex issue that only a few countries have addressed through legislation. The European Union has taken the lead by passing a comprehensive AI Act, while the United States has opted for an approach of voluntary compliance. China, on the other hand, has aimed to maintain social stability and state control.

Global Approaches to AI Governance

Interestingly, the United States was among approximately 60 countries that endorsed a blueprint for action to govern the responsible use of AI in the military on September 10. China, however, did not support this legally non-binding document. This highlights the differing approaches and attitudes towards AI governance on the global stage.

The UN has expressed concern about the development of AI being concentrated in the hands of a few multinational companies. This could potentially lead to the imposition of the technology on people without their input. To address this, the UN has recommended a new policy dialogue on AI governance. This would involve creating an AI standards exchange and a global AI capacity development network to boost governance capacities.

In addition to these measures, the UN has proposed the establishment of a global AI fund. This fund would address gaps in capacity and collaboration, further strengthening the global governance of AI. The UN also advocates for the formation of a global AI data framework to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of AI.

Implementing the UN's AI Governance Proposals

To coordinate the implementation of these proposals, the UN report has suggested setting up a small AI office. This office would play a crucial role in ensuring that the recommendations are effectively implemented and that the governance of AI is strengthened on a global scale.

Historically, the governance of new technologies has always been a complex issue. The advent of the internet, for instance, raised similar concerns about governance, privacy, and the potential for misuse. Just as the world grappled with these issues then, the governance of AI presents its own unique set of challenges now. The UN's recommendations represent a significant step towards addressing these challenges and ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically.