There is an "irrefutable" need for global governance of artificial intelligence and its development cannot be left to the "whims" of the market alone, a United Nations advisory body has warned. While national governments will play a crucial role in regulating AI, the borderless nature of the technology necessitates a "global approach", the High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence said in a report on Thursday. "The accelerating development of AI concentrates power and wealth on a global scale, with geopolitical and geoeconomic implications," the 39-member panel said. "Moreover, no one currently understands all of AI's inner workings enough to fully control its outputs or predict its evolution. Nor are decision-makers held accountable for developing, deploying or using systems they do not understand."

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres unveiled Thursday a new advisory body dedicated to developing consensus around the risks posed by artificial intelligence and how international cooperation can help meet those challenges. While the body will have little power itself, its recommendations could decide the form and function of a U.N. agency for the governance of AI, an organization that many believe will be required as the world confronts the complex set of issues the technology will pose. "Without entering into a host of doomsday scenarios, it is already clear that the malicious use of AI could undermine trust in institutions, weaken social cohesion, and threaten democracy itself," said Guterres, speaking at the announcement press conference. "For all these reasons, I have called for a global multidisciplinary, multistakeholder conversation on the governance of AI, so that its benefits for all of humanity are maximized, and the risks contained are diminished." The new group is one of several international AI initiatives already underway, including the upcoming U.K. AI Safety Summit and G7 AI code of conduct.

The prime minister is to say she wants the UK to lead the world in deciding how artificial intelligence can be deployed in a safe and ethical manner. Theresa May will say at the World Economic Forum in Davos that a new advisory body, previously announced in the Autumn Budget, will co-ordinate efforts with other countries. In addition, she will confirm that the UK will join the Davos forum's own council on artificial intelligence. But others may have stronger claims. Earlier this week, Google picked France as the base for a new research centre dedicated to exploring how AI can be applied to health and the environment.

The prime minister is to say she wants the UK to lead the world in deciding how artificial intelligence can be deployed in a safe and ethical manner. Theresa May will say at the World Economic Forum in Davos that a new advisory body, previously announced in the Autumn Budget, will co-ordinate efforts with other countries. In addition, she will confirm that the UK will join the Davos forum's own council on artificial intelligence. But others may have stronger claims. Earlier this week, Google picked France as the base for a new research centre dedicated to exploring how AI can be applied to health and the environment.