BY CHIMERA STAFF
The UN's AI for Good Summit in Geneva, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, was dedicated to exploring how AI can help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, and addressing climate change.
The event was a global gathering with participants from diverse regions such as China, the Middle East, and Africa. Notable speakers included Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, a company focused on developing AI for African languages. This diversity was refreshing, as the AI field is often US-centric and male-dominated.
The UN's 'AI for Good' summit featured a special session with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was the star speaker, interviewed remotely by Nicholas Thompson, CEO of the Atlantic. Their conversation touched on the potential benefits of AI, such as increased productivity in various industries. However, it lacked depth on how OpenAI is ensuring the safety and ethical use of its technologies. This omission was particularly notable given recent criticisms, including those from Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology, who has questioned the governance and safety practices at OpenAI.
Sage Lenier, a climate activist, emphasized the risks of AI accelerating environmental damage. Tristan Harris from the Center for Humane Technology discussed how social media addiction, driven by tech companies' financial incentives, undermines societal progress. Additionally, Mia Shah-Dand of Women in AI Ethics highlighted ongoing gender biases in the tech industry.
The summit's focus on AI for good could have been strengthened with more discussions on transparency, accountability, and sustainability in AI development. For example, the environmental impact of generative AI, which uses significant energy, and the exploitation of human content moderators in the Global South, were areas that deserved more attention.
Altman’s optimistic view on AI’s productivity gains contrasts with concerns about its societal impacts. His remarks came shortly after Toner revealed that the OpenAI board had been inadequately informed about key decisions, highlighting the challenges of self-governance in AI firms.
The summit was inaugurated by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who stressed the transformative potential of AI and the importance of inclusive AI governance. She highlighted the digital divide, with 2.6 billion people lacking internet access, and called for global efforts to bridge this gap. Her speech emphasized the need for equitable access to AI technologies for inclusive progress.
The AI for Good Innovation Factory showcased inspiring projects, such as Bioniks, a Pakistani startup creating affordable bionic limbs, and Ultrasound AI, a US-based initiative improving prenatal care. These examples demonstrate AI's potential to address significant societal needs.
With 2024 being a major election year, the summit also addressed the dangers of deepfakes and disinformation. The ITU is developing standards for AI watermarking and digital content verification to combat these threats, with initiatives already in use by the UN Development Programme to detect and address misinformation during elections.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his video address, highlighted AI's dual potential for significant benefits and serious risks. He emphasized the need for responsible and inclusive governance to harness AI's power for sustainable development.
The business community, including companies like Google, is actively engaging with the UN on AI projects. Google’s initiatives include using AI for tracking SDG progress and flood forecasting, demonstrating the collaborative efforts needed to address global challenges.
The UN's AI for Good Summit underscored the transformative potential of AI, while also highlighting the necessity for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance to ensure that AI serves humanity's best interests. The discussions and initiatives presented at the summit are crucial steps toward harnessing AI for a sustainable and equitable future.