The United States has expressed its support for an open and inclusive process to implement the Global Digital Compact. This process is to involve all stakeholders, including private sector entities, civil society, and academic institutions. The emphasis is on transparency and participation from those outside government structures.
In a recent statement, U.S. representatives thanked Spain and Costa Rica for their leadership roles as co-facilitators in developing terms of reference for the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
A substantive recommendation from the U.S. is that these terms of reference should build upon progress made by the General Assembly in 2024. This includes adopting a standalone resolution on AI in March 2024 during the Summit of the Future.
The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) has raised concerns about potential duplication of efforts regarding AI, an issue highlighted during December's budget discussions. The U.S. agrees with avoiding such duplication within existing multidisciplinary networks related to AI.
While some have suggested replicating models like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), U.S. officials argue against this analogy due to significant differences between AI policy areas and climate change.
Regarding multistakeholder dialogue, it was suggested that existing forums such as the Internet Governance Forum be leveraged instead of creating new initiatives. These recommendations align with inputs from various UN instruments related to AI identified by the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Artificial Intelligence.
The United States emphasizes consultative approaches in policymaking as integral to managing AI risks and benefits both domestically and internationally. There is also a call for keeping workstreams separate, timebound, with discrete secretariats supporting member states.
U.S. representatives reiterated their commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals through these initiatives.