UN Pushes for Formation of Global AI Fund for Developing Countries
New Delhi (ANTARA) - The United Nations has called for the establishment of a US$3 billion (approximately Rp50 trillion) global artificial intelligence fund to help developing countries build foundational capacity so they are not left behind in the technology era.
Speaking at the India AI Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the future of AI must not be determined by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires, adding that AI must belong to everyone.
"We must replace hype and fear with shared evidence and close the knowledge gap," he said.
Guterres noted that the UN General Assembly last year established an independent international scientific panel on AI and launched a global dialogue on AI governance within the UN framework.
These steps, he said, aim to align efforts, uphold human rights, prevent misuse, and advance shared safety standards as the foundation for interoperability.
He warned that without investment, many countries would be "locked out of the system" in the AI era. For this reason, AI must be accessible to all.
Guterres proposed the formation of a global fund to build developing countries' capacity, encompassing skills development, data availability, affordable computing power, and inclusive ecosystems.
"Our target is US$3 billion. That is less than 1 per cent of one technology company's annual revenue. A small price for the spread of AI that benefits everyone, including the businesses building AI," he said.
According to Guterres, AI has the potential to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and improve access to essential public services. However, he cautioned that the technology could also widen inequalities, reinforce biases, and cause harm.
"We must invest in workers so that AI strengthens human potential, rather than merely replacing it," he said.
He further added that AI must be safe for everyone and that no one should be made a test subject.
"We must protect communities from exploitation, manipulation, and misuse. No child should be made a test subject for unregulated AI," Guterres said.
Speaking at the India AI Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the future of AI must not be determined by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires, adding that AI must belong to everyone.
"We must replace hype and fear with shared evidence and close the knowledge gap," he said.
Guterres noted that the UN General Assembly last year established an independent international scientific panel on AI and launched a global dialogue on AI governance within the UN framework.
These steps, he said, aim to align efforts, uphold human rights, prevent misuse, and advance shared safety standards as the foundation for interoperability.
He warned that without investment, many countries would be "locked out of the system" in the AI era. For this reason, AI must be accessible to all.
Guterres proposed the formation of a global fund to build developing countries' capacity, encompassing skills development, data availability, affordable computing power, and inclusive ecosystems.
"Our target is US$3 billion. That is less than 1 per cent of one technology company's annual revenue. A small price for the spread of AI that benefits everyone, including the businesses building AI," he said.
According to Guterres, AI has the potential to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and improve access to essential public services. However, he cautioned that the technology could also widen inequalities, reinforce biases, and cause harm.
"We must invest in workers so that AI strengthens human potential, rather than merely replacing it," he said.
He further added that AI must be safe for everyone and that no one should be made a test subject.
"We must protect communities from exploitation, manipulation, and misuse. No child should be made a test subject for unregulated AI," Guterres said.