Concerns expressed over slow response to rapid development of AI at United Nations General Assembly general debate

[New York Current Affairs] General debate speeches at the United Nations General Assembly, where leaders of the 193 United Nations member states express their opinions on important domestic and international issues, began on the 22nd at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. During the speeches on the first day, there were a number of voices expressing concern that the government is lagging behind in responding to the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).

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Secretary General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends at the end of this year, pointed out in his opening speech at his final general debate that ``the government with the highest AI capabilities has the greatest responsibility toward humanity,'' with countries such as the United States and China in mind. Citing the example of advances in nuclear arms control during the Cold War era between the United States and the Soviet Union, he called for the urgent establishment of a crisis management system when it comes to AI, saying, ``We need the same urgency that we had back then.''

French President Emmanuel Macron asserted, ``The United States and China are not the only ones responsible for decision-making (on AI).'' "We must not make concessions" when it comes to decisions related to security and livelihoods, he said.

Finnish President Stubu stressed the need to take countermeasures against AI, calling it "a technology that will have the most serious consequences in human history." Chilean President Casto also raised the issue as an "ethical and geopolitical issue," while Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "The establishment of a common legal framework cannot be postponed."