China urges inclusive dialogue at first UNSC meeting on AI

The United Nations (UN) Security Council held its first open meeting on artificial intelligence (AI), themed on the opportunities and risks brought about by AI to international peace and safety, the China News Service reported.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun put forward China’s five principles for AI governance at the meeting.

The Security Council was briefed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jack Clark, co-founder of high-profile AI startup Anthropic, and Professor Zeng Yi of the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Guterres said it is clear that AI will have an impact on every area of our lives. But AI tools can also be used by those with malicious intent, inciting terrorism, hatred and violence. He welcomed the call for the creation of a new UN entity to help maximize the benefits of AI for good and mitigate existing and potential risks. Professor Zeng said that establishing a framework on AI development and governance to ensure global peace and security is crucial for the future of humanity.

China's UN ambassador Zhang pointed out that AI’s complex effects are constantly emerging and generating huge technological dividends, but are also causing increasing concerns in other areas, highlighting the importance, necessity, and urgency of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Zhang described AI as a "double-edged sword"，saying "whether it is good or evil depends on how mankind utilizes it, regulates it and how we balance development and security."

He added that the international community should uphold the spirit of true multilateralism, engage in extensive dialogue, constantly seek consensus, and explore the development of guiding principles for AI governance. China supports the central coordinating role of the UN in this regard, as well as Secretary-General Guterres' efforts in holding in-depth discussions among all parties, and encourages the full participation and contributions of all countries, especially developing countries.

The five principles for AI governance proposed by Zhang are: putting ethics first, ensuring safety and controllability, upholding fairness and benefits for all, sticking to openness and inclusiveness, and being committed to peaceful utilization. 

Zhang said it is necessary to gradually establish and improve AI ethical norms, laws and regulations and the policy system. The international community needs to enhance risk awareness, establish effective risk warning and response mechanisms, ensure that risks beyond human control do not occur, and ensure that autonomous machine killing does not occur, ensuring that mankind has the ability to press the stop button at critical moments.   

Zhang stated that the development of science and technology needs to achieve a relative balance between technological progress and safe applications. The best path is to maintain open cooperation, encourage interdisciplinary, inter-industrial, inter-regional, and cross-border exchanges and dialogues, and oppose various forms of exclusive clubs, decoupling and disconnection.

Zhang noted that it is necessary to focus on exploring the potential of AI in promoting sustainable development, promoting cross-disciplinary integration and innovation, and better empowering the global development cause. The Security Council should further study the application and impact of AI in conflict situations, and take actions to enrich the toolkit of the UN for peace. All countries should uphold a responsible defense policy, oppose the use of AI to seek military hegemony or to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

Zhang said that China has always participated in global cooperation and governance on AI with a highly responsible attitude and has submitted two position papers to UN platforms on the military application and ethical governance of AI.

We stand ready to work with the international community to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative in the field of AI, Zhang said, adding that China will continue to prioritize development, maintain common security, promote cross-cultural exchanges and cooperation, and work with other countries to share the benefits of AI, while jointly preventing and responding to risks and challenges.