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Global Digital Compact deep dive on AI and emerging technologies

Who Chief Policy Advisor, Sara Rendtorff-Smith
Who Chief Policy Advisor, Sara Rendtorff-Smith
When 25.05.2023

Check Against Delivery

 

Excellencies, colleagues,

Less than a year after the public launch of generative AI technology, we stand on the cusp of a new digital world, and therefore at a transformative moment for our societies. Ambitious and thoughtful regulation is paramount to ensure that this new technology is used for good, and to protect us all from harmful use.

 

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Digital technologies have already created new infrastructures and efficient disruptions to nearly all industries. Where they have been developed in mutually beneficial cooperation between private developers, scientists, and governments, this has helped build a trustworthy, democratic and transparent range of technologies that today are ingrained in everything from critical infrastructure to consumer-goods.

Now, a new technology is being developed. Private companies have in record time developed AI tools that can produce their own content, be it images, videos, music or text – even poetry or punchlines.

The potential is nearly unlimited including for possible support for our achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. On the other hand, governmental understanding of this technology remains limited.

A future proof legal framework apt for current and future technology is pivotal to protect foundational human rights concerning agency, safety and rights.

 

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Moving from guiding principles to actionable measures regarding a rapidly expanding new technology will not be easy. This will require responsibility and regulation for those who develop, implement and use the technology – the full AI value chain.

The UN and Member States have key roles to play in meeting this new technology with due diligence, and ensure a relationship that is based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

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Since 2017 Denmark has been a leading diplomatic stakeholder in Silicon Valley, through the world’s first Tech Embassy. From there we will continue to monitor the development and regulation of new technologies, currently AI above all. This includes ongoing constructive dialogue with tech companies, where we will continue to bring forth proposals for relevant checks and balances defined by the global community.

Thank you.