The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly unanimously adopted on March 21 a groundbreaking resolution to ensure the development of “safe, secure, and trustworthy” artificial intelligence (AI). More than 120 member countries supported the U.S.-proposed initiative, the U.N. indicated in a statement.
This resolution seeks to reduce the digital divide between countries, promote the protection of personal data, strengthen privacy policies, and closely monitor AI development to identify possible risks and safeguard human rights, U.S. technology magazine Wired reported.
Speaking with Diálogo on April 7, Víctor Ruiz, founder of the SILIKN cybersecurity center in Mexico, emphasized the relevance of this resolution. “It’s a fundamental step that underscores the need for proactive management of emerging AI technology, given its dual potential for benefit or harm.”
The adoption of this resolution symbolizes an ongoing international effort to influence the trajectory of AI, amid concerns about its ability to destabilize democratic processes and increase bank fraud. Although previous initiatives have had limited reach, the determination to shape a secure future for AI persists, Reuters reported.
While the resolution was unanimous, negotiations included “lots of heated conversations,” and resistance from international players Russia and China, Reuters reported. Ruiz noted skepticism about these countries’ adherence to the resolution, corroborating it with their track record in failing to honor international geopolitical commitments.
“There is an ambiguous, gray, area on this AI issue,” Ruiz said. “Even though Moscow and Beijing claim they will comply with the AI agreement, there are hidden entities intimately linked to them, advancing the development of research tools and techniques aimed at executing attacks.”
Russia, China, Iran, and Venezuela, could deny responsibility, claiming not to be linked to groups suspected of questionable activities, despite clear evidence of possible funding, Ruiz added. “This stance hinders international investigations, casting doubt on the extent of their involvement.”
Fake content
The Chinese, Russian, and Iranian governments have shown a strong interest in employing AI tools for a variety of purposes. Iran, for instance, is using AI, including apps on cell phones, to monitor girls and women’s compliance with restrictive rules on wearing the Islamic headscarf, Spanish news agency EFE reported March 18.
Iran is also increasing its financial and legal support to create an enabling environment for the private sector in the AI field. However, these investments raise concerns, as they could mean ties between companies, the regime, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, says the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Beijing is using a virtual reporter at Wolf News to promote the interests of the Communist Party of China (CPC), intensifying China’s role in global geopolitics, The New York Times reported. In March 2023, Beijing introduced Ren Xiaorong, a virtual avatar who joined the People’s Daily newscast, meticulously following an official CPC script.
Likewise, Chinese AI companies have been developing deepfake tools for more than five years, capable of producing fictitious people as part of a disinformation campaign dedicated to promoting the interests of the CPC, blurring the lines between fact and fiction to an extraordinary degree, The New York Times reported.
In February 2023, the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela developed the fictitious news program House of News, where AI generated avatars played their part in a state disinformation campaign and the dissemination of false and modified data, Spanish daily El País reported.
“Generative AI promotes computational propaganda,” Sam Woolley, director of the propaganda research lab at the University of Texas’ Center for Media Engagement, told the University of Oxford’s Reuters Institute on March 12. “With generative AI, propaganda not only becomes even more amplified, it becomes more persuasive and nuanced.”
“Yes, AI is facilitating the creation and dissemination of fake news that is extremely convincing, perceived as true by the public,” Ruiz added. “This ability to generate fake content in an automated and continuous manner, without direct human intervention, has the potential to significantly influence critical areas such as elections and conflicts.”
Well-informed
The U.N. Assembly called on all member states and stakeholders, to refrain from using AI systems that cannot operate in accordance with international human rights standards, or that pose undue risks to human rights.
“It is critical that as a society, we are aware and well-informed about the use of artificial intelligence,” Ruiz concluded. “If used for learning, assistance, and competitiveness, it can be beneficial. However, its use as a weapon represents a huge danger, especially when AI begins to define its own goals [and make decisions on its own] to attack connected systems.”
