A recent report by the United Nations (UN) presented this past week highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate disinformation and warns of the main risks arising from the use of AI in the military field.
The document, prepared by a panel of 39 experts, emphasizes the implications of AI for global security and social stability and underlines its ability to erode public trust in information sources and threaten democratic institutions. According to the experts, advanced AI models, such as natural language generators, can be used to spread false narratives on a large scale, manipulating public opinion.
In the military field, the UN expresses its concern about the use of systems capable of making attack decisions without human intervention, through autonomous weapons. This development, according to the report, raises serious ethical questions and could violate international humanitarian law. In addition, the United Nations warns that an arms race fueled by AI could increase international tensions and lower the barrier to starting conflicts.
Accordingly, the UN panel has urged global regulation of AI, especially in the military field, and has recalled the urgency of concluding negotiations for a treaty regulating the use of autonomous weapons before 2026. The experts have also recommended the creation of an independent scientific panel and a global fund to reduce the digital divide, ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI worldwide.
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