The UK is committed to ensuring that technological progress serves as a force for peace: UK statement at the UN Security Council
I would like to start by thanking the Russian Federation for organising this important open debate on Emerging Technologies and International Security, and for issuing Concept Note.
While these are indeed “initiatives,” “innovations,” and “new technologies” we are talking about today – we must bear in mind that none of them come about in isolation or in a vacuum. They are products of their time, part of ongoing technological change.
So, as we look to the future, to shape these technologies and the law around them – it is worth reflecting on the past, and some of the lessons we have already learned.
Just as nuclear technology emerged from the science of the “atomic age” – so much of the technology we are discussing today is the result of breakthroughs in the digital revolution. Indeed, it is often a convergence of digital technologies with other scientific advances which gives rise to new and emergent technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
It is therefore right that we explore the implications of these technologies for the international security landscape and for the work of the Security Council.
As my Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recently said: “When people talk about the ethical use of technology, some of them just mean, ‘how do we stop our political opponents using Twitter?’ But the ethical use of technology is not about shutting down debate, or silencing dissent. It is about taking responsibility for the real-world consequences of the technology we create and deploy.”
The UK is committed to ensuring that technological progress serves as a force for peace and security. We must use these new technologies to promote good, not evil.
We must harness these changes for the betterment of humanity.
That is why – as we work alongside the US and others to develop future technological innovations – we are also setting out a vision of how we see the responsible development and use of AI.
This includes encouraging greater transparency, stronger accountability, and reducing bias in decision-making.
It includes improving international collaboration on safety standards and ethical guidelines for AI.
And it includes advocating for a new international treaty that would prohibit development and use of AI for autonomous lethal weapons
Mr President,
The UK therefore believes strongly that – while we embrace the technological advances which are rapidly changing our world – we must proceed in an ethical and responsible manner.
We must put the security of our citizens first.
We must be mindful of the unintended consequences of rapid technological advances.
And we must always act in accordance with international law.
We must continue to adapt our regulations and policies in line with these principles. Our approach is grounded in our values and our laws – and based on a close collaboration between industry and government.
We strongly encourage all states to join us in this endeavour.
We welcome the work of the UN Secretary General in this area. His report published last year highlighted the need for a range of measures to build trust and confidence in the use of new and emerging technologies in the context of international security.
We also welcome the report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, published last month, including the emerging consensus on the need to retain meaningful human control over the use of force.
We support the establishment of a new Group of Governmental Experts under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to take this work forward.
Mr President,
The UK is committed to playing a leading role in the responsible development and use of new technologies.
We will work to ensure that the Security Council has the necessary knowledge and understanding to address the security implications of these technologies.
We will work with our partners to develop international norms and standards for the responsible use of new and emerging technologies.
And we will work to ensure that these technologies are used in a way that strengthens international peace and security.
Thank you, Mr President.
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I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Please search for “The UK is committed to ensuring that technological progress serves as a force for peace: UK statement at the UN Security Council” which is rapidly rising on GOV UK and explain in detail. Answers should be in English.
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