UN adopts Kenyan co-sponsored AI regulation resolution

The UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on Artificial Intelligence /Photo: AFP)

By Foreign Reporter
Friday, March 22, 2024

The passed resolution aims to "bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries," and promote "safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems to accelerate progress towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

The UN General Assembly on Thursday endorsed the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence (AI), signalling global backing for an international initiative that aims to ensure that powerful technology serves the interests of all nations.

The resolution which was co-sponsored by Kenya was unanimously endorsed by all 193 U.N member states.

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"Kenya co-sponsored the historic US AI resolution. We negotiated for it to include development, bridging digital divides, technology transfer, and for language protecting linguistic and cultural diversity plus disability, gender and racial equality," outgoing Kenyan envoy to the UN Martin Kimani, posted on his X account.

The passed resolution aims to "bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries," and promote "safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems to accelerate progress towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

It further encourages all member states, other multi-stakeholders, private sector, international and regional organisations, civil society, and media institutions from all regions and countries, "to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems."

The General Assembly urged member states and stakeholders to cooperate with and support developing countries so they can benefit from inclusive and equitable access, close the digital divide, and increase digital literacy.

Commenting on the adoption of the resolution, newly-appointed Kenyan special envoy on Technology Philip Thigo said it was a "pivotal and historic moment and much-needed step towards an inclusive global governance of AI, as we move toward the global digital compact."

"Super proud to have been a part of this historic work and credit to our team at the Kenyan mission in New York," said Thigo through an X post.

Thigo was last year appointed to the United Nations Secretary General's High-Level advisory body on AI.