UN Security Council: EU Council President Costa calls for global AI regulation
"The risks are real: miscalculation, escalation, and proliferation," emphasized EU Council President Costa at UN. The international community must act quickly.
The UN headquarters in Manhattan, New York.
(Image: Gabriele Maltinti/Shutterstock)
Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York, EU Council President AntĂłnio Costa urgently called for global guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure international peace and security. In his speech on Thursday, the Portuguese President emphasized that AI is a "powerful enhancer of human potential, for better or for worse.".
On the one hand, according to Costa, technology offers solutions to some of mankind's oldest challenges – from incurable diseases and instability caused by climate change to poverty and inequality. At the same time, however, he also warned of "real and immediate" dangers. AI is already being used to "undermine trust in institutions, spread disinformation, and enable cyberattacks".
Disinformation and killer robots
The 64-year-old cited the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems as by far the most dangerous aspect. These threatened to "eliminate human responsibility for life and death decisions". The risks are real. Costa cited "misjudgement, escalation and proliferation" in particular. The international community must act "before the tipping points become irreversible". He therefore called for good regulation "before it is too late".
According to the lawyer, the EU is committed to a human-centered approach to AI, which is anchored in its fundamental values: "dignity, democracy and the rule of law." He referred to the initiative to create the world's first comprehensive regulatory framework for reliable artificial intelligence with the AI Regulation. The "same ambition" is needed at international level. After all, people remain responsible for peace and security in the age of AI.
Videos by heise
The AI Act is under considerable pressure internationally, particularly from the USA. Big tech companies and some European business organizations fear that the strict and comprehensive regulations and associated guidelines could stifle innovation in Europe and weaken competitiveness vis-Ă -vis the USA and China. The US government relies on guidelines and voluntary codes at best. Despite this criticism, the regulation is generally perceived as a necessary regulatory step and also as pioneering work.
(vbr)
