Washington’s push for AI governance sees a significant diplomatic breakthrough as China aligns its stance with the United States.
On Thursday, March 21st, the United Nations General Assembly passed a breakthrough AI regulation resolution aimed at governing artificial intelligence, with China joining 120 other member nations in full favor. The resolution emphasizes respect for the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, requesting various parties to create and maintain frameworks for the safe, secure, and trustworthy use of AI.
The collaboration between the US and China on this resolution marks a pivotal moment in international cooperation on AI safety and signifies a diplomatic triumph for US policymakers. China’s support largely contributed to the passing of the UN AI Resolution by a significant margin of votes.
Notably, the resolution reinforces the applicability of international human rights policies to AI development, aligning with efforts to mitigate geopolitical tensions surrounding AI advancement.
AI does not mean anything in particular, so navigating discussions on AI governance poses challenges. Artificial intelligence has a broad spectrum of AI applications, ranging from autonomous vehicles to facial recognition technologies. The dialogue between the US and China on AI governance hinges on prioritizing specific, manageable issues to foster progress and consensus-building.
While this is a big step forward in US-China collaboration on technology regulation, historical antecedents show past involvement in crafting AI rules. Both governments have already acknowledged AI’s revolutionary potential, while underscoring the importance of controlling related dangers.
In 2016, the Obama administration issued a study titled “Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence,” which focused on regulatory methods for maximizing AI advantages. In 2017, China’s State Council announced the “New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan,” which emphasized responsible AI development to ensure societal stability.
As the United States and China align on AI governance, strategic engagement and collaborative actions offer opportunities to mitigate risks and advance international agreement on emerging technology governance.
It’s critical to acknowledge the profound effects that AI technologies have on people everywhere, including Chinese and American citizens. With access to enormous data resources and cutting-edge computational tools, American and Chinese businesses and researchers are at the forefront of this field’s innovation. Given their early movers position in the European Union, their attempts to regulate this technology might serve as role models for other countries. But a big obstacle is the growing mistrust and rivalry between the two countries. There is a chance of not reacting appropriately to common threats, resulting in erratic and unstable outcomes, and passing up chances to significantly enhance human existence.
Three main areas should be given priority by authorities from both countries in order to strike a balance between accomplishing ambitious but attainable progress: limiting military applications of AI, guaranteeing constructive collaboration, and concentrating on what is feasible.