UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media during his visit to the UN office in Nairobi, Kenya, May 3, 2023. AP Photo/Khalil Senosi, File
The prevalence of hate and lies on digital platforms, and the threat that artificial intelligence could become an uncontrollable “monster,” calls for a code of conduct for governments, tech companies, and advertisers to promote the truth and protect human rights. Coordinated global action is needed, starting with the UN, says the UN. the chief said on Monday.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he plans to appoint a scientific advisory board within days and an advisory board on artificial intelligence in September to prepare actions that the UN can take. He said he would respond favorably to the UN’s new agency on artificial intelligence, and suggested the International Atomic Energy Agency as a model, which is knowledge-based and has some regulatory powers.
At a press conference, Secretary-General Guterres said he would consult broadly on the just-released principles of the UN Code of Conduct on Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and will publish them by next year’s UN Future Summit.
He expressed hope that the code would be widely supported, but when asked if governments and tech companies were willing to take steps to make the digital space more secure, he said, “That’s what I do. It’s a question for,” he replied.
“It’s a constant battle because we deal with businesses that generate huge profits, and sometimes with governments that don’t fully respect human rights, and in this constant battle, We must mobilize all those who respect human rights,” he said, “we value the integrity of information on digital platforms.”
Heidi Beylich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, said the UN’s call for an international solution to this global problem is a positive step, but the UN’s code of conduct does not support hate. Agreed it wouldn’t be enough to stop the torrent. False and harassing information online.
“The reality is that self-regulations, including company-specific terms and conditions on these issues, have failed to curb them,” said Beyrich. “The problem for the United Nations is that what it thinks has to be done to address this problem is basically the inability to enact legislation.”
Guterres said many initiatives are underway, including laws and codes of conduct for the 27 European Union member states and a UK summit on AI safety in the fall. Other governments are also considering forms of regulation. But he said things move too fast to be easily regulated by some, so a global approach is needed.
Guterres said the main problem is that technology companies’ business models prioritize engagement over privacy, truth and human rights. He said tech companies need to understand that they can’t make huge profits “at the expense of an engagement model that overrides other considerations.”
The UN secretary-general said a code of conduct “is not the solution, but it will be global”, allowing governments, tech companies, advertisers and others to “ensure or at least ensure the integrity of information on digital platforms.” We take sex seriously.”
Among the principles set out in Guterres’ code of conduct is a promise to “refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation or hate speech for any purpose.” ”
Guaranteed governments will not respond to misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, including blocking legitimate comments, shutting down the internet, banning platforms and media outlets, and protecting journalists and independent media. We are asking you to commit to doing so.
For companies that manage digital platforms, be transparent about their algorithms, advertising, how they deal with misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, and hate speech and disinformation in some languages and countries. It calls for commitments to eliminate pervasive double standards. Others are more effectively prevented. Tech companies are also being asked to give people more choice in what content they see and how they use their data.
Secretary-General Guterres said the efforts required of digital platforms include “urgent and immediate steps to ensure that all AI applications are safe, secure, accountable and ethical, and comply with human rights obligations”. said.
He said the UN “will strive to be at the center of any network or movement that will be built” to deal with evolving AI technologies. But he said this will not be easy as governments and international organizations have not invested enough in people with the necessary scientific and technical knowledge in recent decades.
“We also need a commitment from the platforms themselves, and from the AI creators themselves,” Guterres said, adding: “But we will do our best to be a platform where everyone can come together to move this agenda forward. ‘ said.
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Ali Swenson contributed to this report from New York.
