Ambassador Chris Lu
Representative for UN Management and Reform
New York, New York
December 19, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Let me start by thanking the Permanent Missions of the UAE and Albania, as well as today’s briefers, for this important discussion.
The United States is committed to leveraging the promise of artificial intelligence to address the critical challenges of our era – from climate change to health care to inclusive economic growth.
At the same time, we know that AI can pose risks to national security, public safety, democracy, civil rights, and human rights. It is becoming more difficult to distinguish between real and AI-generated content, and so we see how AI-generated content can enable crimes, such as harassment, extortion, intellectual property infringement, and fraud.
AI can also be misused to further marginalize vulnerable groups by aiding the generation and dissemination of disinformation and racist stereotypes, and exacerbating technology-facilitated gender-based violence, such as through ‘deep fake’ images or videos.
When it comes to hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, the U.S. government’s strong belief in freedom of expression does not mean that we should sit idly by as individuals and groups seek to spread toxic expressions of hatred. Rather, we deploy a robust strategy that includes reaching out to affected communities, providing conflict resolution services, and enhancing dialogue. And, of course, we take action when hateful expression transforms into acts of discrimination or violence.
However, the solution is not restrictive laws on Internet governance that place an artificial cap on innovation, censor activists, and repress human rights. Any government action to combat hate speech, disinformation, and misinformation must protect freedom of opinion and expression, that includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Concerns about the misuse of AI should not be used as an excuse to further repression. As we work to address the digital divide and help build partnership capacity, we should be taking steps to make the Internet more free and more open.
Earlier this year, President Biden took decisive action on AI by securing voluntary commitments from AI companies and signing a wide-ranging Executive Order. However, greater international collaboration is needed to ensure the responsible design, development, deployment, and use of AI systems.
That is why the United States is proposing a resolution in the General Assembly to advance the international conversation on leveraging artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development, while managing the risks of these technologies.
The resolution is rooted in the principles and values of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The resolution lays out principles to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems across their design, development, deployment, and use, while also supporting efforts to close digital divides and strengthen capacity building.
The United States looks forward to engaging with all of you on this resolution so we can better address the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.
Thank you.
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