Paris, 29 November 2021 (TDI): The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted an agreement on Artificial Intelligence(AI). The 193 member states adopted this week the first-ever global agreement on the Ethics of AI. It defines the common values along with the principles needed to ensure the healthy development of AI.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines especially computer systems. The specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing along with speech recognition, and machine vision.
Artificial intelligence is present in everyday life. For instance in booking flights and applying for loans and steering driverless cars. Moreover, It is also used in specialized fields such as cancer screening. It also helps to create an inclusive environment for the disabled.
According to UNESCO, AI is also supporting the decision-making of governments and the private sector. Moreover, it is also helping combat global problems like climate change and world hunger.
It also mentioned that technology brings an unprecedented challenge. There is an increase in gender and ethnic bias. Moreover, there is a significant threat to privacy along with dignity. Furthermore, there are dangers of mass surveillance.
According to UNESCO, there is the increased use of unreliable Artificial Intelligence technologies in law enforcement and there are no universal standards to provide an answer to these issues.
Considering this, UNESCO adopted an agreement. It aims to guide the construction of the necessary legal infrastructure. It will ensure the ethical development of this technology.
UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay mentioned that there is a need for rules for artificial intelligence to benefit humanity. Director-General underscored that the agreement on the ethics of AI will set the rules.
It will set an impetus for the first global narrative framework. Moreover, countries will adopt these responsibilities at the state level. Audrey Azoulay also stressed that UNESCO will support its 193 Member states in its implementation. It will ask the member states to report regularly on their progress and practices.
Advantages of Artificial Intelligence
According to UNESCO, AI will provide the guide to ensure digital transformation. Moreover, it will promote human rights and help in achieving sustainable development goals.
AI will address the issues related to privacy and accountability. It will provide an action-oriented policy on data governance along with the education, culture, labor, healthcare, and the economy.
AI aims to protect data. It will guarantee protection to individuals by ensuring transparency and protecting their personal data. The UNESCO recommendations explicitly ban the use of AI for social scoring and mass surveillance.
The text also emphasizes that AI actors should favor data, energy, and resource-efficient methods. These methods will ensure that AI becomes a more prominent tool in the fight against climate change as well as in tackling environmental issues.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, Gabriela Ramos mentioned that “Decisions impacting millions of people should be fair, transparent and contestable”.
Moreover, AI technology must help to address the major challenges in the world today such as increased inequalities along with the environmental crisis; and must not deepen them.
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