A Cry for Help: Urgent Appeal to the United Nations for Global AI Ethics
Dear United Nations,
I hope this message reaches you in good health and high spirits. My name is Kevin Bihan-Poudec, and I am writing to you with an urgent appeal on behalf of humanity, deeply concerned about the unchecked and rapidly advancing power of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Over the last 10 months, I have personally and professionally experienced the devastating impacts of unregulated AI. These experiences, particularly in the United States, have directly led to my loss of income and housing, forcing me to reckon with a grim reality that millions of others may soon face.
AI is moving faster than current legislation can manage, and the potential risks of this unregulated growth are profound. As AI technology continues to influence the global economy and society at large, it is essential that we take swift, coordinated action to ensure that its development serves the interests of all humanity. Failure to do so could result in a fragmented and chaotic future, where AI exacerbates inequalities and destabilizes our core social fabric.
Back in April of this year, I received support from the office of French President Emmanuel Macron for a Global AI Ethics Charter—a comprehensive framework to ensure AI is developed ethically and responsibly. While this was a significant milestone, the stakes have only increased in urgency since then. Time is not on our side. With AI being implemented at an exponential rate, existing laws and legislative frameworks are struggling to keep up with its rapid evolution.
This is why I am reaching out to the United Nations. I have developed two critical documents that I am submitting for your review:
1. "Global AI Ethics Roadmap: A Unified Framework for Ethical AI Implementation Across Nations"
These documents outline a plan for nations to collaborate on establishing ethical AI regulations that protect human rights and societal well-being while promoting innovation. The framework ensures inclusivity, accountability, and transparency, all while considering the socio-economic realities of nations at different stages of development.
Moreover, in the United States, California Senate Bill 1047 is a pivotal piece of legislation that seeks to regulate AI at the state level and ensure responsible governance. Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30th to sign this bill into law. I urge the United Nations to convey to Governor Newsom the global significance of passing this bill. If California sets this precedent, it could serve as a model for responsible AI regulation worldwide.
We cannot afford to wait any longer. Without immediate and cohesive action, AI could lead to catastrophic consequences on a global scale, fundamentally threatening the essence of humanity and the dignity of work. It is essential that the United Nations plays a central role in advocating for global AI ethics, uniting nations to prevent the development of fragmented, conflicting regulations that would be difficult to reconcile in the future.
I also request to be kept informed of any actions taken regarding outreach to Governor Newsom and any progress related to this matter. This is a critical moment in history, and the decisions we make today will shape the trajectory of AI and its role in our societies for decades to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and hope to work with the United Nations in bringing this pressing issue to the global stage.
Warm regards,
Kevin Bihan-Poudec
Founder, Voice for Change Foundation
Advocate for ethical AI, workforce preservation, and human rights.
Global AI Ethics Roadmap:
A Unified Framework for Ethical AI Implementation Across Nations
Preamble
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries, economies, and societies globally. While AI holds immense potential to drive positive change, it also poses unprecedented ethical, societal, and economic challenges. The Global AI Ethics Charter seeks to establish a universal framework that safeguards human rights, promotes societal well-being, and ensures the ethical use of AI technologies. This document serves as a binding agreement for governments, industry leaders, civil society, and individuals to collaboratively guide the development and deployment of AI in a manner that upholds transparency, accountability, fairness, and equity.
Core Principles of the Global AI Ethics Charter
1. Universal Respect for Human Rights
AI systems must be developed, deployed, and managed in ways that promote and protect human rights, including dignity, privacy, equality, and non-discrimination.
2. Promotion of Societal Well-being
The application of AI must prioritize improving societal well-being, addressing critical areas such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability, while safeguarding underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
3. Transparency and Accountability
AI systems should operate transparently, with their algorithms, data usage, and decision-making processes made publicly available. Clear accountability mechanisms must be in place to address harm or misuse of AI.
4. Inclusivity and Diversity
AI technologies must be inclusive by design, accounting for cultural, racial, gender, and socioeconomic diversity. This includes proactive bias detection, mitigation, and the establishment of ethical standards to ensure equity.
5. Safety and Security
Robust safety standards must be implemented to protect individuals and society from harmful, malicious, or deceptive uses of AI, while ensuring data and systems security.
6. Sustainable Development
AI technologies must align with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) and contribute positively to environmental stewardship and resource management.
7. Adaptive and Responsive Regulation
Governments must develop adaptive legal frameworks to regulate AI technologies, responding to the rapid pace of innovation while maintaining effective oversight.
8. Public Participation and Engagement
Meaningful dialogue between governments, businesses, academia, and the public is essential to foster a well-informed citizenry. Public consultation must be at the heart of AI ethics policy formation.
9. Ongoing Research, Education, and Workforce Development
Nations must invest in AI ethics research and education, including workforce development programs, to address evolving challenges and opportunities posed by AI. This also includes training for individuals in AI-related technologies and ethical considerations.
10. Global Collaboration and International Cooperation
The Global AI Ethics Charter encourages countries to work collaboratively, sharing resources and knowledge to promote common standards, while respecting national contexts and sovereignty.
Steps for National Implementation
Each nation must develop a National AI Ethics Strategy, aligned with the Global AI Ethics Charter, while considering their own cultural, economic, and political landscapes. Below are the strategic steps for governments:
I. Universal Respect for Human Rights
1. Human Rights Assessment:
Governments must conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate how current AI technologies impact human rights.
2. Legislation Development:
Countries must develop or update legislation that explicitly includes provisions to protect privacy, dignity, equality, and non-discrimination in AI use.
3. Enforcement Mechanisms:
Create independent bodies to enforce AI-related human rights legislation, ensuring clear paths for redressal in case of violations.
II. Promotion of Societal Well-being
1. Identification of Key Sectors:
Governments must identify sectors where AI can contribute significantly, such as healthcare, education, environment, and social services.
2. Support and Investment:
Governments should support public and private sector initiatives aimed at using AI for societal good, especially for underserved communities.
3. Monitor and Evaluate Impact:
Regular monitoring and evaluation must be conducted to assess AI's impact on societal well-being, adjusting policies as needed to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
III. Transparency and Accountability
1. Public Disclosure of AI Systems:
AI technologies used in critical areas (e.g., healthcare, criminal justice) must disclose
operational information, including algorithmic decision-making processes.
2. Creation of Grievance Mechanisms:
Governments must establish accessible systems for individuals to report grievances,
misconduct, or misuse of AI technologies, with proper legal recourse mechanisms.
IV. Inclusivity and Diversity
1. Diverse and Inclusive AI Development:
Nations must mandate that developers include a diverse range of stakeholders in the design and development of AI systems to minimize bias and ensure that AI serves all demographic groups.
2. Bias Mitigation Protocols:
Countries should implement and enforce bias mitigation protocols in AI development, ensuring fairness across different user demographics.
3. Accessibility Standards:
Adopt and enforce standards to ensure that AI is accessible to individuals with disabilities or those from marginalized communities.
V. Safety and Security
1. Establish AI Safety Standards:
Governments must create and enforce standards to ensure AI systems are safe and cannot be exploited for malicious purposes.
2. Security Protocols:
Implement security protocols to protect against unauthorized access to AI systems, including safeguarding sensitive data.
3. AI Emergency Response Plans:
Governments must develop emergency response plans for addressing AI-related crises, including system failures, hacking, or unintended consequences.
VI. Sustainable Development
1. Environmental Impact Assessments:
Mandate environmental impact assessments for large-scale AI projects, ensuring these systems contribute positively to environmental sustainability.
2. Alignment with National and Global SDGs:
Ensure that AI policies and development projects align with both national and global
sustainable development goals, especially in areas like climate change mitigation.
VII. Adaptive and Responsive Regulation
1. Regulatory Sandboxes:
Establish regulatory sandboxes where innovative AI solutions can be tested in controlled environments to inform broader regulatory frameworks.
2. Ongoing Policy Review:
Nations should regularly review AI-related policies to adapt to new technological
advancements while maintaining regulatory effectiveness.
VIII. Public Participation and Dialogue
1. National Public Awareness Campaigns:
Governments must launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the ethical implications of AI and their rights in relation to AI technologies.
2. Public Consultations:
Create platforms for public consultations on AI policy, ensuring input from a wide variety of stakeholders, including those from underrepresented communities.
IX. Ongoing Research, Education, and Workforce Development
1. AI Ethics Research:
Allocate funding for interdisciplinary research into the ethical, social, and technical challenges posed by AI.
2. Workforce Reskilling:
Governments must invest in workforce reskilling programs, preparing citizens for the evolving job market due to AI’s influence.
X. Glob al Collaboration and International Cooperation
1. International AI Ethics Consortium:
Establish a consortium where nations collaborate to share best practices and work on joint AI research and policy development.
2. Cross-border Data Governance:
Countries must create and adhere to cross-border data governance frameworks that protect individual privacy while promoting international cooperation.
3. Resource Sharing:
Developed nations should offer resources—both financial and technical—to help emerging nations implement the Global AI Ethics Charter effectively.
Conclusion: Global Commitment to AI Ethics
The Global AI Ethics Charter represents the collective responsibility of humanity to ensure AI technologies serve the common good, enhance well-being, and respect fundamental human rights. Nations must act now to develop policies and frameworks that can sustain the ethical use of AI for future generations. Through collaboration, transparency, and accountability, we can harness the potential of AI to create a better, more just world for all.
