Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you so much for being here. As President Biden was quoted as saying: this is a “big bleeping deal.”
Today, all 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly have spoken in one voice, and together, chosen to govern artificial intelligence rather than let it govern us.
The groundbreaking resolution adopted today cements global consensus for safe, secure, trustworthy AI systems. Systems that both advance sustainable development and respect fundamental freedoms.
And while I could talk ad nauseum about the “what” of this text, I want to start by acknowledging the “who” and the “how” of it. Because this inclusive, comprehensive resolution is inextricably linked with an inclusive, comprehensive approach to adopting it.
Over the last few months, we have worked with over 120 countries representing every part of the world and every level of development.
We have brought on board 123 co-sponsors, including the Bahamas, the Netherlands, Morocco, Singapore, the UK, Japan, who are standing up here with me today.
They are a few of the earliest co-sponsors of this resolution who have worked hand-in-hand with us since the very beginning.
We also engaged with stakeholders from the private sector, the technical community, civil society, and academia.
And we have built on a diverse group of international initiatives on existing UN entities around AI and on efforts in our own individual countries.
And I’d be remiss not to mention President Biden and Vice President Harris’s real leadership on this issue [both] here and abroad.
All of this work culminated in what we just saw today – a first-of-its-kind resolution adopted not only by majority but by consensus.
Because ultimately, the risks and benefits of AI have the potential to impact all of us; therefore approaching it requires all of us.
The resolution we just adopted reflected our shared responsibility and collective fate. It leaves no one behind. It lays the groundwork for AI systems that leave no one behind either.
Among other things, this resolution reaffirms that we must focus on capacity building and close digital divides within and between countries so that everyone can benefit from AI.
It emphasizes that no one should use AI to undermine peace or repress human rights.
It calls on those creating this technology to be responsible when it comes to developing and launching new capabilities and to root out bias and discrimination in AI systems.
It underscores that innovation and regulation are not mutually exclusive but rather mutually reinforcing.
It notes the importance of education, transparency, continued knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms which the U.S. understands to mean on a voluntary basis.
And it sets the stage for more close collaboration and conversation to come both within the UN and beyond it.
Over the past few months I’ve occasionally been asked: why the UN?
Why should this body with so many existential challenges take on AI?
And the answer is simple: because AI is existential.
Not only in its threats but in its opportunities – which I believe there are many more.
Already AI is being used to detect disease predict natural disasters help farmers grow more food educators reach more students
As Secretary Blinken discussed last week it's helping activists members civil society protect democracies
This resolution was massive step towards expanding these benefits creating even more them Towards building deploying systems save lives end poverty protect planet create safer equitable world
Tomorrow hard work continues put shared principles practice
But today celebrate extraordinary achievement belongs each every one us
Let me now turn podium Ambassador Japan
MR NATE EVANS We time couple questions Laughter Maggie?
AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD Thank Nate
QUESTION Thank Ambassadors hope stakeout replaced ChatGPT anytime soon Laughter Ambassador Gaza know when vote going brought started ChatGPT Laughter know vote going come fill bring date Thanks
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD Look question topic working diligently past days hours move forward blue made additional changes requested look forward bringing quickly possible
MR EVANS Any actually topic questions?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD off topic let ambassadors answer
QUESTION Yes Stefano Vaccara La Voce New York great binding present Security Council matter?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD Look thought best place General Assembly brings countries table agree tenants intention bringing Security Council think need bring lays foundation platform address moving forward having agree sends strong message
MR EVANS Time Celhia want?
QUESTION going say last time want know artificial intelligence change lives remote villages Africa don’t water electricity?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD important question ask today able bring people access technology basic needs didn’t access before idea bridge gap figure deliver women villages figure help farmers address need better production methods better methods getting food market think address needs fact know Sustainable Development Goals goals reach basic everyday people
MR EVANS Thank everyone
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD Thank you