That’s the message from the previous UN head António Guterres World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Thursday.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the need to cope with the dangers of technologyincluding the amplification of economic inequality, the rise of hate speech and misinformation, as well as the lack of governance and uncontrolled growth of artificial intelligence, or AI
In his video message, the head of the United Nations said the digital revolution is a “determine the force of our time.”
“The The opportunity is huge: from transforming education and health care, to driving climate action and achieving all the goals Sustainable development goals.”
bridging division
He stressed that technology must be a tool that can reduce divisions, not deepen them.
And while the internet is more central than ever for value creation and innovation, “we have to dramatically improve accessibility and inclusivity and close the digital divide.”
This starts with supporting digital public goods such as open source software, data accessible to all, and open content.
“We must invest in the capacity of public institutions so that they have the skills and resources to understand, monitor, shape and interact with Artificial Intelligence and other transformative technologies,” said the Secretary-General. said more.
Global Digital Compact
He called on countries to work together around a Global Digital Compact and avoid fragmentation, protect human rights and ensure technology is a force for good.
He commended the specialized agency of the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in an effort to accelerate global connectivity for all, by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline.
A woman uses solar energy to charge her mobile phone in a refugee camp in Burkina Faso.
Strengthening AI governance for multilateralism
Echoing the words of the head of the United Nations, his Special Envoy for Technology Amandeep Gill told UN News in an interview in Geneva, why is it so urgent and important to have proper governance when it comes to AI.
“If we can prove to the rest of the world that we can Let’s act together around AI, not just shut things downprevent progress, but manage it in a way that leaves no one behind”, in the context of other global challenges, “then that’s a bigger message about the success of multilateralism.”
