China-led resolution on artificial intelligence passes in United Nations General Assembly
- The non-binding resolution seeks AI development in a ‘free, open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory’ environment between wealthy and developing nations
In a diplomatic win for Beijing on Monday, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-led resolution that urges the international community to create a “free, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory” business environment among wealthy and developing nations for artificial intelligence development.
More than 140 nations, including the United States, co-sponsored the non-binding resolution affirming that all nations should “enjoy equal opportunities” in the non-military domain, calling for global cooperation to assist developing countries facing “unique challenges” and ensure “they will not be further left behind”.
Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said after the assembly session that a “fragmented approach toward AI, toward the digital technology, is not going to benefit anybody”.
He added that the resolution was proposed to “emphasize the important role that the UN could play” on AI governance as the “most inclusive organization”.
Describing the significance of the measure as “great and far-reaching”, the envoy noted that AI technology was advancing quickly and the “gap between the North and South, especially between the developing countries and the developed countries, is also widening”.
Ambassador Fu, who served as the director-general of the department of arms control at the Chinese foreign affairs ministry from 2018 to 2022, also said that China was “very thankful, and we’re very appreciative of the positive role that the US has played in this whole process”.