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

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The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution introduced by China and supported by the United States urging rich developed countries to close the growing gap with poorer developing countries and ensure they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence.

The resolution adopted Monday follows the adoption of the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence on March 21, which was led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries including China. The resolution gave global support to international efforts to ensure that AI is “safe and reliable” and that all countries can benefit from it.

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

The unanimous adoption of the two resolutions by the 193-member General Assembly demonstrates the broad global support for their leadership on this issue.

The two resolutions are complementary, with the U.S. measure “more general” while the just-adopted measure focuses on “capacity building,” Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong told reporters on Monday.

He described the Chinese resolution, which was supported by more than 140 countries, as “great and far-reaching” and said: “We highly appreciate the positive role played by the United States in this entire process.”

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

“We look forward to intensifying our cooperation with the United States and with all countries of the world on this issue, which … will have far-reaching implications in all dimensions,” he said.

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But the Chinese ambassador sharply criticized a proposed rule by the US Treasury Department, announced on June 21, that would restrict and monitor US investments in China in artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.

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

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

The US and Chinese decisions focus on the civilian applications of AI, but Fu told reporters that the military dimension of AI is also very important.

“We believe it is imperative for the international community to take the necessary measures to mitigate the risks and threats posed by the development of artificial intelligence,” he added.

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

US and Chinese decisions have warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence, while at the same time boasting of its potential benefits in enhancing economic development and the lives of people everywhere.

The US resolution acknowledges that “the governance of AI systems is an evolving field” and requires further discussion on possible governance approaches. The resolution calls on countries to ensure the protection of personal data, uphold human rights, and monitor AI for potential risks.

Ambassador Fu, who headed the Foreign Ministry’s arms control department from 2018 to 2022, said China introduced the resolution because of the growing gap in artificial intelligence technology between the advanced North and the developing South.

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

The Chinese resolution calls for “bridging AI and other digital divides between and within countries,” and strengthening international cooperation, including knowledge sharing and technology transfer to developing countries.

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