Despite AI’s Potential to Boost Digital Transformation, ITU Pushes for Global Regulation

Emma Okonji

International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nation’s digital agency that regulates global telecommunications policies, is pushing for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, while citing lots of dangers associated with the deployment of AI, despite its potential to drive digital transformation across the globe. 

ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin was in Washington, DC, last week, for the first time since taking office in January 2023, to conduct meetings with relevant US counterparts at the White House, the State Department, the Commerce Department, Congress, the private sector and other organisations, on how best to regulate AI technology.

ITU, which is the oldest agency in the UN system, facilitates international connectivity in communications networks, allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and also strives to improve access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) to underserved communities worldwide. 

In one of the US meetings, Bogdan-Martin raised discussions to the fast-moving nature of AI technology and the need for proper regulation. 

She recalled the AI for Good Summit held in early July in Geneva, where the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, spoke to the Security Council, emphasising the potential of AI to accelerate human development while also cautioning against the malicious use of AI technology and highlighting the need for a universal approach to AI governance.

She met with Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and Frank Pallone, who are Chair and Ranking Member respectively of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, together with the sub-committee on Communications and Technology.

The committee, similarly, the oldest continuous standing committee in the US House of Representatives, has one of the broadest jurisdictions, which includes electronic communications and the internet; broadcast and cable television; privacy, cybersecurity and data security.  She also separately briefed senior staff of that committee, and also met with Representative Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Africa sub-committee.

In addition, she met with Senator Todd Young, who was among those recently tapped by the US Senate Majority Leader to explore avenues for regulating AI.  While on Capitol Hill for meetings, she observed the Senate Judiciary sub committee’s hearing on Principles of Artificial Intelligence, which also examined what AI regulation might need to look like.

While most people are afraid that the use of AI ChatGPT will kill academic research among students and researchers, others are of the view that the use of AI technology to launch cyber attacks and spread misinformation could be counter-productive and dangerous to global economies.

The UN Secretary-General had said that if AI became primarily a weapon to launch cyber attacks, generate deep fakes, or for spreading disinformation and hate speech, it would have very serious consequences for global peace and security.

“Look no further than social media. Tools and platforms that were designed to enhance human connection are now used to undermine elections, spread conspiracy theories, and incite hatred and violence,” Guterres said.

“Malfunctioning AI systems are another huge area of concern, and the interaction between AI and nuclear weapons, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and robotics, is deeply alarming,” Guterres further said.

But analysts told THISDAY that regulation of AI technology would stiffen its growth and adversely affect private investments in AI, which they said has reached high growth rate across globe.

According to them, AI technology has the capacity to enhance digital transformation, and should be allowed to operate freely and in full capacity.

Controversies around regulation of AI technology has however, been on the increase since 2017, with more people calling for technology neutrality, instead of regulation.