More than 600 young people from different parts of the world came together in New York for a United Nations summit focused on artificial intelligence policy and governance. The meeting gave young people an opportunity to discuss how AI should be developed, regulated and used, while also considering its potential to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A major outcome of the meeting was the creation of the Youth-led Declaration on AI Policy and Governance. The document presents concerns shared by young people, outlines principles they believe should guide AI development and offers recommendations for policymakers. The organizers hope the declaration will contribute to discussions surrounding the UN’s Global Digital Compact and other international efforts to establish rules for artificial intelligence.
The UN has previously worked to involve young people in discussions about emerging technologies. Initiatives such as the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the International Telecommunication Union’s Youth Advisory Board have provided platforms for younger generations to contribute their views. However, the latest summit represents another significant effort to give youth a stronger role in decisions about technology that is likely to shape their lives and careers.
The discussions come at a time when concerns about the risks associated with AI are increasing worldwide. Governments and international organizations are paying closer attention to issues such as deepfakes, cybercrime and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence.
The European Commission has been working on stronger measures aimed at addressing AI-related risks, while INTERPOL has warned about the growing use of AI in cybercrime across Africa. In the United States, organizations have also been calling for changes to AI provisions included in proposed legislation.
The summit was held on International Youth Day, which recognizes the contribution and importance of young people around the world. Despite differences in their backgrounds and circumstances, young people often share concerns about employment, technology, education and their future. UN Secretary-General António Guterres used the occasion to call for greater investment in young people and their participation in decisions affecting future generations.
However, the meeting also highlighted concerns about the impact AI could have on employment. A report released by the International Labor Organization shortly before the summit estimated that around 6 percent of jobs currently held by workers aged between 15 and 29 are at high risk of being replaced by AI. The report suggested that if only 10 percent of those jobs were lost, as many as 5.6 million young workers could become unemployed.
Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, stressed that young people should have an active role in shaping AI rather than simply becoming users of systems created by others. He argued that involving young people in the development of AI can help produce technologies and policies that are more effective, inclusive and responsive to society’s needs.
The summit therefore sends a clear message: young people want to be participants in the AI revolution, not just observers of it. As artificial intelligence continues to transform society, their involvement could become increasingly important in determining how the technology is governed and who benefits from it.
It would be interesting to hear what views young people have about another emerging technology, quantum computing, spearheaded by entities like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS).
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