For the head of the UN, the Tech giants want to take too much advantage of AI, literally and figuratively!

At first glance, artificial intelligence opens up many possibilities and proves to be a formidable tool. But for António Guterres, it is also a threat comparable to climate change that hangs over humanity.

The year 2023 saw artificial intelligence take off among the general public; Obviously, it will increasingly interfere in everyday products, notably through Assistants (Microsoft’s Copilot or Google’s Bard to name just two examples). For the giants of the sector, the exploitation of AI of course represents a considerable and coveted financial windfall.

For his part, António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations since 2017, sees risks on different scales.

AI will increase inequalities at all levels

He expressed his concerns at the Davos Forum – World Economic Forum or WEF (World Economic Forum) for the full name.

António Guterres compares the risks of AI to those posed by the climate crisis. He considers that in both cases, the international community has no viable strategy to deal with them.

In fact, the secretary general is pointing the finger at the greed of big tech companies. They would see in artificial intelligence a source of profits, which they intend to maximize without the slightest ethical consideration.

Regarding generative AI, António Guterres said: “This technology has enormous potential for sustainable development, but the International Monetary Fund has just warned that it is likely to worsen inequalities. Powerful tech companies are already chasing profits, disregarding human rights, privacy and social impact”.

The Portuguese statesman refers to an IMF report published at the beginning of the week relayed in our columns. The document states in particular that AI will increase salary inequalities and threaten a very large number of professions.

This assertion echoes another report, a little older, and commissioned by the OECD. The 2023 edition of OECD Employment Outlook suggests that AI could destroy one in four jobs in France and around the world.

Furthermore, the UN chief is concerned about the inequality of access to these new technologies depending on the country. However, according to him, it would be necessary to “bridging the digital divide instead of making it worse”.

Recommendations addressed to businesses and governments

Guterres called on tech company representatives to work with governments to put in place safeguards for AI. He recalls that his administration has already made preliminary recommendations on how “to exploit the benefits of this incredible new technology while mitigating its risks”.

Technology companies, sometimes caught red-handed – like Meta, which admitted to having trained its AI with pirated books – are making amends and playing, at least in appearance, the probity card, by implementing various protection systems.

On the administration side, a regulatory framework is gradually being put in place: Europe in particular presented its AI Act at the end of 2023.

AI puts climate issues back on the table

Concerning the link made between the advent of AI and the climate crisis, here again, it echoes current events; to the statements of Sam Altman, general director of Open AI, for whom the development of AI will require an energy revolution (with an ever-increasing demand for energy), as well as to the campaigns led by the fossil fuel industry to promote its fuels.

António Guterres warns: “The fossil fuel industry has just launched a new multi-million dollar campaign to obstruct progress and maintain oil and gas production indefinitely. Let me be very clear: phasing out fossil fuels is essential and inevitable. No amount of manipulation or scare tactics will change anything. Hopefully it won’t happen too late.”

Words of common sense, but which will not necessarily be followed by actions…

Source: The Guardian