United Nations (UN) member states have unanimously adopted a resolution urgently calling for an international agreement on the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI). Through this, the goal is to minimize side effects such as deepfakes and ensure that underdeveloped countries are not excluded from the positive benefits AI can bring. The resolution also includes a warning that AI must not be used in violation of international law.
On the 21st (local time), UN member states held a general assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, USA, and adopted an AI-related resolution submitted under the leadership of the United States by consensus without a vote. This is the first time the international community has officially adopted an AI-related resolution at the UN General Assembly level. Consensus passage refers to a decision-making method where if no member state expresses opposition to the chair’s proposal, it is considered agreed upon without a separate vote.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, emphasized the need for an international agreement on safe use in her speech at the General Assembly, stating, "AI-generated content such as deepfakes has the potential to undermine the integrity of political debates, and algorithmic bias can deepen social divisions and discrimination against minorities."
This resolution recognizes that AI development and use are accelerating rapidly and stresses the urgency of reaching a global agreement on safe and trustworthy AI systems. It also points out that all countries and regions, international organizations, the tech community, civil society, the media, academia, research institutions, and individuals must take part. The resolution includes the need to narrow the digital divide between developed and emerging countries so that emerging countries can also enjoy the benefits of AI.
In particular, the new resolution explicitly states that AI must not be used without appropriate safeguards or in violation of international law. It also contains warnings against designing, developing, distributing, or using AI inappropriately or maliciously. However, it does not directly address the integration of military technology, which is considered the greatest concern surrounding AI use.
The UN General Assembly resolution is not legally binding under international law. However, since it was adopted unanimously by member states, it is analyzed to serve as a foundation for the international community to discuss and establish AI-related regulations and governance systems in the future. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield emphasized in a press conference after the adoption of the resolution, "Today, all 193 member states of the General Assembly spoke with one voice that we have decided to govern AI, not be governed by AI," calling it a "groundbreaking resolution."
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