UN adopts AI safety resolution

The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution proposed by the United States to ensure the safe development of artificial intelligence.

What does the resolution call for? According to a joint statement by the United States and dozens of the resolution’s co-sponsors, it calls on member nations to “promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems to address the world’s greatest challenges.” Those “challenges” included “poverty elimination, global health, food security, climate, energy, and education,” according to the statement.

Is this a legally binding resolution? UN General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding on member states’ governments. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday noted after the resolution’s passage that “more than 100 nations” had co-sponsored the bill. She added, “This resolution reflects extensive consultation and input from countries all around the world.”

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s discussion with retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery on The World and Everything in It podcast about cybersecurity and healthcare.