UN chief wants govts & tech firms to work on risk management for AI development

JOHANNESBURG - Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres has called on governments to work with tech companies across the world as industries weigh the impact of cutting-edge AI tools.
 
“We need governments urgently to work with tech companies on risk management frameworks for current AI development and on monitoring and mitigating future harms.”
 
Guterres made the comments at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, following a poll by Pricewaterhouse Coopers on the future of business.
 
The survey flagged concerns by global chief executives that AI would threaten nearly half of the world’s businesses in a decade.
 
Media and financial institutions, including banks, are among industries at risk of job losses as AI continues to grow.
 
Despite the fears, Guterres said there are some upsides and calls for emerging economies to be brought on board.
 
“We need systematic effort to increase the success of AI so that developing economies can benefit from its enormous potential. We need to bridge the divide instead of deepening it.”