Artificial intelligence is transforming economies, societies, and geopolitics. And while that technology is moving at lightning speed, there’s a feeling that many development institutions — from multilateral bodies to nonprofits to philanthropic foundations — are struggling to keep pace.
But on Thursday, the United Nations launched two new institutions to change that: an independent scientific panel to assess AI’s risks, opportunities, and challenges; and a “Global Dialogue” for governments, U.N. agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector to discuss AI governance.
“We know we need innovative solutions that extend beyond lines of code,” said Vilas Dhar, the president of the AI-focused philanthropy the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. “Now, a forum is created where we can do that effectively, and it will be one of a set of institutions that I think will come out of this moment of extreme transformation that we face.”
About the author
Elissa Miolene
Elissa Miolene reports on USAID and the U.S. government at Devex. She previously covered education at The San Jose Mercury News, and has written for outlets like The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washingtonian magazine, among others. Before shifting to journalism, Elissa led communications for humanitarian agencies in the United States, East Africa, and South Asia.
