UN Secretary-General Urges AI Restrictions, Its Development Must Be Controlled

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Steve A Johnson

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the widespread introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an experiment on modern society that is carried out without a plan and without public consent.

"An experiment is being carried out on our own people - without a plan, and without consent. It is not sustainable, and it is unacceptable," Guterres said at a press conference discussing AI, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Monday, July 6.

According to him, the technology has changed the world. The UN Secretary-General also questioned whether mankind would make this transformation, or would let AI do it.

Guterres called for a number of restrictions on AI work in order to regain control over its development.

"This restriction must be accepted by both the government and the developer companies," he said.

Meanwhile, in his statement, Guterres said artificial intelligence is developing at an incredible speed and has already changed the world.

"The question is whether we will lead this transformation together or let it shape us," Guterres wrote on his Threads account @António Guterres, Monday, July 6.

"We must ensure that AI serves humanity, and not the other way around. The power of computers, data, and talent behind the most advanced systems is concentrated in a few companies, in a few countries," the UN Secretary-General continued.

"When power imbalances are integrated into technology, inequality becomes part of the code. Every country must have a seat at the table when talking about AI governance," he said.