“AI technologies are being applied in the political, social, economic and defense spheres. However, this technology also carries serious risks and is emerging as a new factor that could affect the stability of the entire system of international relations,” Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said.
RUSSIA IS SOUNDING the alarm over artificial intelligence (AI) having a big negative impact on global stability and exacerbating inequality among nations.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said this during the Security Council’s open debate on AI and international peace and security, highlighting concerns over AI’s shaping and influencing public opinion, elections and critical infrastructure.
“AI technologies are being applied in the political, social, economic and defense spheres. However, this technology also carries serious risks and is emerging as a new factor that could affect the stability of the entire system of international relations,” Polyanskiy said.
“AI-based technologies can influence public opinion and election outcomes through the dissemination of news publications and fake content on social media, and they can also impact the functioning of critical infrastructure in other countries,” he added.
NO FULL UNDERSTANDING OF IMPACT
Furthermore, the Russian official said that the risk of utilizing AI is not yet fully understood globally.
“Let’s be honest: No one in the world fully understands all the risks associated with AI, and this fact cannot be ignored,” he said.
When it comes to deepening equality, advanced nations stand to benefit more from AI because of their advanced digital ecosystem, which in turn can lead to tensions and conflicts. The Russian official also cited that current efforts to regulate AI is not geared toward making a positive impact on society.
“Countries with developed economies will have greater opportunities to leverage their benefits compared to emerging markets and developing nations. This will exacerbate digital inequality and the already significant imbalance in global development, which in turn could lead to social tensions and new conflicts,”
Polyanskiy, however, said that Russia supports the UN’s coordinating role in AI, such as the organization’s Global Dialogue and the establishment of an independent international scientific panel.
“We are ready to continue with substantive, equitable, and mutually respectful work on all aspects of artificial intelligence in inclusive, specialized bodies, in order to find solutions that satisfy everyone and maximize the benefits of AI for the entire planet,” he added.