Singapore has called for countries to consider a United Nations (UN) framework convention on AI safeguards as the technology advances across borders.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly on 26 September, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan urged countries to develop common methods for assessing AI risks, testing models and reporting serious incidents.
A framework convention was one option he proposed exploring.
Balakrishnan warned that autonomous systems could act beyond human control and that malicious actors could use AI to develop dangerous weapons.
He also pointed to emerging economic and social disruption.
To address these risks, he called for rigorous testing before deployment and clear limits on what autonomous systems can do.
“Most importantly, human beings must ultimately remain in control and accountable,”
he told the assembly.
Any international approach should give countries a meaningful role, including those without the most advanced AI models, Balakrishnan argued.
Singapore plans to share its AI governance frameworks and testing tools as part of international efforts.
The country also joined a call led by Finland and Norway for greater safety and security of advanced AI models.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by U.S. Department of State via Flickr and lifeforstock via Magnific.
