UN adopts Chinese resolution with US support on closing the gap in access to artificial intelligence

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by China and supported by the US, urging rich, developed nations to bridge the widening gap with poorer developing countries and ensure they have equal opportunities to utilize and benefit of artificial intelligence.

The resolution approved on Monday follows the approval, on March 21, of the the first UN resolution about artificial intelligence led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries, including China. He gave global support to the international effort to ensure that AI is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and that all nations can take advantage of it.

The adoption of the two non-binding resolutions shows that the United States and China, rivals in many areasare both determined to be key players in shaping the future of this powerful new technology — and have cooperated in these important international first steps.

The adoption of both resolutions by consensus by the 193-member General Assembly shows broad global support for its leadership on this issue.

China’s UN ambassador, Fu Cong, told reporters on Monday that the two resolutions are complementary, with the US measure being “more general” and the newly adopted one focusing on “capability building.”

He called the Chinese resolution, which had more than 140 sponsors, “large and far-reaching,” and said, “We are very grateful for the positive role the U.S. has played throughout this process.”

Fu said AI technology is advancing extremely quickly and the issue has been discussed at very high levels, including by US and Chinese leaders.

“We hope to intensify our cooperation with the United States and, for that matter, with all countries in the world on this issue, which… will have far-reaching implications in all dimensions,” he said.

The Chinese ambassador, however, strongly criticized the US Treasury Department’s proposed rule, announced on June 21, that would restrict and monitor US investments in China by artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.

“We firmly oppose these sanctions,” Fu said. China does not believe the rule will be “helpful to the healthy development of AI technology itself and will, by extension, divide the world in terms of standards and in terms of the rules governing AI.” He called on the US to lift sanctions.

The Chinese resolution calls on the international community “to provide and promote a fair, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory business environment”, from the conception and development of AI to its use. Fu said China does not believe U.S. actions promote an inclusive business environment.

Both the US and Chinese resolutions focus on civilian AI applicationsbut Fu told reporters that the military dimension of artificial intelligence is also very important.

“We believe it is necessary for the international community to take action to reduce the dangers and risks posed by the development of AI,” he said.

China is actively participating in negotiations in Geneva on the control of lethal autonomous weapons, Fu said, adding that some countries are considering proposing a General Assembly resolution this year on the military dimension of AI – “and we broadly support that initiative”.

Both the US and Chinese resolutions warned of the dangers of AI, while praising its potential benefits in promoting economic development and people’s lives around the world.

The US resolution recognizes that “the governance of artificial intelligence systems it is an evolving area” that requires further discussion on possible governance approaches. It calls on countries to ensure that personal data is protected, human rights are safeguarded and AI is monitored for potential risks.

Ambassador Fu, who headed the arms control department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2022, said China introduced the resolution due to the widening gap in AI technology between the developed North and the developing South.

He said China also wanted to highlight the central role the United Nations should play in AI governance as “the most representative and most inclusive international forum.”

The Chinese resolution resolves to “bridge artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries” and promote international cooperation, including knowledge sharing and technology transfer to developing countries.