The annual AI for Good conference has commenced in Geneva, hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the U.N. telecommunications agency. The primary objective of this gathering is to provide guidance to businesses, consumers, and governments on how to optimally leverage new technology, while also mitigating potential risks.
Esteemed tech leaders such as Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the creation of ChatGPT, are in attendance at this event. The conference agenda includes speeches and discussions on the application of artificial intelligence across various sectors including robotics, medicine, education, and sustainable development.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, emphasized the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, particularly in enhancing education and healthcare in remote areas, increasing agricultural yields, and developing early warning systems for natural disasters.
While artificial intelligence has been in development for several years, it gained significant public attention only about 18 months ago with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This AI system is notable for its capability to generate novel text, images, and videos based on a vast database of online content.
Leading technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are heavily investing in AI, engaging in robust competition within the field. Nevertheless, OpenAI has received criticism over its management of AI safety, leading to the departure of former top executives expressing concerns.
Experts have expressed concerns about the potential misuse of AI, particularly in the dissemination of online disinformation. With the ability to produce realistic-looking texts and images, AI has the potential to blur the distinction between fake news and reality, exacerbating existing challenges associated with combatting misinformation.
Secretary-General Guterres underscored the importance of ensuring that AI technology diminishes bias, misinformation, and security threats, rather than perpetuating them. Additionally, he emphasized the significance of aiding developing countries in harnessing AI for their benefit and fostering global connectivity.
The advocacy for ethical and responsible utilization of AI technology is a pivotal element of the international endeavour to maximize the potential benefits of artificial intelligence, while also mitigating the risks it presents.
Source: Independent Premium