The UN Secretariat has published a paper prepared by members of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) discussing ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) governance can help reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and leave no one behind. Its findings will inform the Committee’s deliberations in April.
Titled, ‘Artificial Intelligence Governance to Reinforce the 2030 Agenda and Leave No One Behind,’ the paper (E/C.16/2024/7) highlights AI’s “immense” potential benefits, “augmenting human capabilities, increasing the well-being of people and contributing to the betterment of society.” It recognizes that AI is evolving at an “unprecedented” pace, warning of many challenges, risks, and ethical concerns that must be urgently addressed. The paper underscores that as regulators and users of AI, governments have an especially important role to play in making sure AI contributes to sustainable development and improves people’s lives.
Noting that AI “has transformed industries and the daily lives of people in ways that were once unimaginable,” the paper provides an overview of AI’s potential for accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda and offers a snapshot of its benefits for five selected SDGs: SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 4 (quality education); SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure); and SDG 13 (climate action).
The paper outlines the numerous long-term risks and challenges associated with using AI, particularly in developing countries, including “concerns about ethics, equity, transparency and compliance with existing and emerging regulations.” To address these, it calls for governance that aims to ensure equal access to the benefits of AI, protects digital rights, and prevents harm.
The paper discusses existing AI governance practices, identifying the main elements for a strong AI governance framework. It emphasizes the need to: continue to build a shared understanding of the positive and negative impacts of AI; identify principles and policy priorities; and ensure policy coherence so that AI can support the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind.
Authored by Committee members Sherifa Sherif and Carlos Santiso, the paper was made public on 20 February 2024, ahead of the 23rd session of the CEPA, which convenes from 15-19 April.
The CEPA was established by ECOSOC in 2001. It is comprised of 24 members who meet annually at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The Committee is responsible for supporting the work of ECOSOC concerning the promotion and development of public administration and governance among UN Member States. [Publication: Artificial Intelligence Governance to Reinforce the 2030 Agenda and Leave No One Behind]