Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence in International Relations
What does this mean for developing nations?
The United Nations plays a crucial role in the developing relationship between AI and government. In July 2023, the AI Business described how the UN Security Council held its first meeting specifically dedicated to discussing global AI governance. A recent CNN article highlighted UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ belief that, in light of potential risks with advancing technology, the UN should seize this opportunity to create a new international entity to manage AI governance. This action would not be the first of its kind–the UN has stepped up multiple times in the past to address rising concerns, including creating bodies governing climate change and nuclear energy. How would this time be any different?
When the UN has stepped up in the past to address global issues, it has recognized its role in bridging the growing gap between developing and developed countries. Furthermore, developed countries that have greater access to AI and advancing technologies will reap these benefits before developing countries. Thus, as the world peacemaker, the UN is naturally held responsible for minimizing this gap; the UN explains how “eliminating fragmentation between countries and genders, but also in terms of resources and knowledge, could enable more people to contribute to the digital transformation underway.” UNESCO announced its intent on prioritizing Africa’s full participation in AI development and utilizing AI as a tool to promote economic growth. Moreover, the UN views AI as not only a potential warfare and humanitarian issue, but also as an ethical factor affecting economic development of developing nations.
AI is predicted to greatly impact global labor markets, such that developed countries will be less likely to source labor from developing countries. According to a 2019 European Parliament briefing by the, cheaper costs relevant to AI incentivize developed countries to replace outsourced labor with AI. Jobs will both be created and destroyed with the expansion of AI; although there is no consensus among experts, it is likely that changes in labor will follow past industrial patterns. Moreover, lower–paid jobs characterized by repetitive tasks and little qualifications to work are thus likely to be eliminated; AI can easily replace these tasks, widening the economic gap between international labor markets.