Checked Against Delivery
Mr. President,
At the outset, I want to express my appreciation to France and to you, Foreign Minister Barrot, for having convened what I think is a very, very timely session on this significant topic.
Let me also thank Mr. Bengio for briefing us, and for your work in the United Nations Scientific Panel on AI.
And thank you also to Mr. Altman, Mr. Amodei and Mr. Delangue, in particular, as practitioners and leaders in this field, for your insightful reflections. You are at the forefront of this new frontier and we welcome your participation today.
Today, Artificial Intelligence is constantly developing and reaching capabilities we are only – I can only talk for myself, but I think also generally speaking – we are only beginning to understand.
There is no doubt that AI-driven technologies have the opportunity to strengthen and promote international peace and security and development. Especially in light of the recent giant leaps forward in the capabilities of AI.
The growing emergence of AI technology offers the potential to support this Council’s mandate. For instance, to enhance peacebuilding and peacekeeping through information verification, early warning, and in support of planning and operating the missions.
In areas where the UN is denied access, satellite technology and AI software programmes have helped the UN identify patterns of attacks and destructions of essential civilian infrastructure.
Such information can play a vital role in alerting the Security Council. It can help us all to take timely action and prevent crises from escalating.
At the same time, we must recognise the risks presented by the development, use and misuse of new and emerging AI-technology. In particular frontier AI models and lack of human control.
This is the aim behind the Call for Control of Frontier AI Models, initiated by Finland and Norway, and already supported by a number of countries, including Denmark. We need global cooperation on this agenda.
Mr. President,
The tension between on the one hand the important opportunities and on the other hand the risks, defines one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and that is why I think this discussion is very timely.
Overcoming this challenge requires global AI governance, strengthened international cooperation, and determined action. Without widening the global digital divide. The UN’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance is an important first step.
Governance and regulation of AI are high on Denmark’s agenda, including regulation of large tech companies.
These efforts are not brakes on innovation and growth. They are, I think, essential efforts to ensure that technological progress serves the public interest and humanity in general.
The unprecedented speed of AI innovation demonstrates the need for safeguards to ensure AI systems remain safe, remain secure and trustworthy. Uncontrolled new technology could lead to dangerous and harmful effects.
We are already seeing how they pose new threats, including to those who protect civilians in conflict, above all, the medical mission.
Denmark underlines the importance of ensuring the responsible use of AI and that the use of AI is in accordance with international law.
In this regard, we call on all States to ensure human control of AI and accountability for the development and use of AI. Not least in the military domain, where accountability is absolutely essential.
Mr. President,
Denmark will continue to support the meaningful engagement of the Security Council and promote an inclusive multi-stakeholder approach to AI Governance. Civil society and the private sector must play leading roles.
Science and evidence must always inform our policies. We see the Independent International Scientific Panel as an important contribution to credible and evidence-based AI governance. The panel provides us with a common scientific reference point.
Mr. President, in closing,
We need to consider how AI can contribute positively to shape international peace and security and bridge global digital divides.
At the same time, we must remain clear-eyed of the significant risks and start building some strong guardrails, so we can manage the global risks in due time.
Thank you.
