SaMedia, Dec. 15,—UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the importance of AI governance during his opening remarks at the 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The forum, running from Dec. 15 to 19, expects over 10,000 attendees from 160 countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Guterres emphasized that unlocking the potential of digital technology for all people requires “guardrails” and a collaborative approach to governance. He highlighted the importance of establishing frameworks and regulations to manage the risks associated with AI and other digital advancements. Guterres noted that the recently adopted Global Digital Compact provides a blueprint for this purpose, aiming to ensure that digital technology serves humanity rather than posing risks.
In his virtual address, emphasized the transformative power of digital technology, stating it has fundamentally reshaped the world and holds enormous potential to accelerate human progress.
Guterres highlighted the recent adoption of the Global Digital Compact, a blueprint for humanity’s digital future. The Compact, he noted, is the first comprehensive framework of its kind, based on the principle that digital technology must serve humanity.
Guterres outlined three key aspects of the Compact: “First, it expands the vision of the World Summit on Information Society, recognizing technology as a global public good. Second, it aims to address rapidly emerging challenges like hate speech, data privacy, and the concentration of economic power.”
He continued, “Third, it includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence, establishing an independent International Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.”
The Compact also recognizes the IGF as the primary platform for discussing internet governance. Guterres stressed the importance of the forum’s work in implementing the Compact and called for continued efforts to build an open, free, and safe internet for all.
The IGF covers various topics, including cybersecurity, data privacy, and artificial intelligence. The event underscores the need for collaborative governance to unlock the potential of digital technology for everyone.
