UN Secretary-General’s strategy on new technologies

Summary

New and rapidly developing technologies such as AI, biotechnology, material sciences, and robotics hold significant promise for human welfare but also pose risks of increased inequality and violence. This internal strategy aims to define how the UN system will support these technologies to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, aligning them with UN values, human rights, and international law.

Key areas of focus include privacy, human rights, ethics, equality, sovereignty, responsibility, transparency, and accountability. Five guiding principles for UN engagement with new technologies are: Protect and Promote Global Values, Foster Inclusion and Transparency, Work in Partnership, Build on Existing Capabilities and Mandates and Be Humble and Continue to Learn.

Four strategic commitments are announced: Strengthening UN capacity, increasing outreach and engagement, Promoting dialogue on normative and cooperation frameworks, and Increasing support to Member States. These commitments aim to ensure that new technologies benefit all, as part of the broader transformation of the UN.