UN Supports Establishment of International AI Monitoring Agency, Like Nuclear Monitoring Agency

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (right) (photo: twitter @antinooguterres)

JAKARTA - The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Monday, June 12 supported the proposal of several artificial intelligence executives to create an international artificial intelligence monitoring agency such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Generative artificial intelligence technology that can produce authoritative writing from text instructions has captured the public's attention since the launch of ChatGPT six months ago and is the fastest-growing application of all time. Artificial intelligence is also a focus of concern over its ability to create deepfake images and other misinformation.

"The alarm bells over the newest form of artificial intelligence - generative artificial intelligence - are ringing loudly. And the loudest are from the developers who designed them," Guterres told reporters. "We have to take these warnings seriously."

Guterres has announced plans to begin work later this year on a high-level advisory body to regularly review artificial intelligence governance arrangements and provide recommendations on how they can be compatible with human rights, the rule of law, and the common good.

But on Monday he added: "I would support the idea that we could have an artificial intelligence agency...inspired by what the International Atomic Energy Agency is today."

Guterres said such a model could be "very attractive," but noted that "only member states could create one, not the United Nations Secretariat".

The Vienna-based IAEA was founded in 1957 and promotes the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology while monitoring possible violations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The IAEA has 176 member countries.

ChatGPT creator OpenAI said last month that bodies like the IAEA could impose restrictions on usage, verify compliance with security standards, and track computing power usage.

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, also supports the idea and says he wants Britain to be the place for global artificial intelligence security regulation. Britain is set to host a meeting later this year on how coordinated international action can tackle artificial intelligence risks.

Guterres said he supported plans for a meeting in Britain, but said it should be preceded by "serious work". He said he plans to appoint in the next few days a scientific advisory board consisting of artificial intelligence experts and chief scientists from UN agencies."

In a related development, Guterres highlighted the need for strong international cooperation to address the impacts and risks of artificial intelligence. He said that the challenges faced by artificial intelligence are universal and cross national boundaries, so an approach that involves the entire international community is needed.

In this context, he stressed the importance of establishing a separate and independent artificial intelligence oversight agency, which would be responsible for overseeing technological developments and ensuring their use complies with ethical principles, human rights, and the interests of society.

Guterres also highlighted the importance of bridging the global digital divide in facing the era of artificial intelligence. He underlined the need to ensure that developing countries are not left behind in the use and application of artificial intelligence, so as to create equal access and benefits for all countries and people.

It is hoped that with the support of various parties, including UN member states, artificial intelligence executives, and AI experts, efforts to establish an international regulatory body for artificial intelligence can develop further. The existence of such a body is expected to promote responsible technology development, address the risks associated with artificial intelligence, and maintain ethical principles in its use.

In the coming months, more debate and discussion will take place to formulate a proper draft framework for an international artificial intelligence regulatory body.