UN chief calls for AI to benefit everyone and urges consensus on AI deployment norms

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the ‘AI for Good Global Summit‘ organised by ITU in Geneva, underscored the need to ensure that AI benefits everyone, including the significant portion of the global population still offline. Guterres emphasised the urgency of reaching a consensus on the guiding norms for AI deployment.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, in her address, echoed the call for global cooperation, emphasising the necessity of harnessing the full potential of AI while mitigating potential risks. Bogdan-Martin highlighted the transformative possibilities of AI, envisioning its capacity to discover disease cures, drive clean energy advancements, and empower farmers to enhance crop yields. However, she also cautioned against the risks associated with AI, including job displacement and the spread of disinformation. Bogdan-Martin referred to the AI Summit as a historic moment, stressing the importance of advocating for inclusive, safe, and responsible AI deployment.

The primary focus of the summit was to delve into the vast potential of AI in advancing the realisation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Alongside the discussions, the summit featured an exhibition titled ‘Robotics for Good,’ where more than 50 robots were showcased. These robots demonstrated their capabilities in supporting critical areas such as healthcare, education, disability assistance, waste reduction, and emergency response in times of disaster.