ITU国际电信联盟：2024联合国人工智能活动报告（英文版）-388页_4mb

Summary of United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) - 2023 Edition

Core Content

The 2023 United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) report highlights the growing role of AI within the UN system, emphasizing its potential to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a joint effort between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 46 other UN agencies and bodies, showcasing 408 projects that span all 17 SDGs. This report is not an exhaustive inventory of AI-related activities but serves as a tool to enhance collaboration and understanding of AI technologies and their applications.

Main Points

• Participation and Growth: 47 UN entities participated, with 7 new entities joining for the first time. The number of projects increased by 45% compared to the previous year.
• Focus on SDGs: The report shows a strong focus on SDGs 9, 10, 16, and 17, with SDG 13 (Climate Action) returning to the top five SDGs for the first time since 2021. SDGs 6, 7, 12, 14, and 15 require more attention.
• Multi-stakeholder Collaboration: Nearly 60% of the projects involved collaboration with various stakeholders, including the UN system, governments, academia, and the private sector. Collaboration with governments increased by 33% compared to 2022.
• Project Outputs: The majority of projects reported outputs such as reports and software tools (mobile apps, web apps, dashboards, chatbots), with 13% focusing on dataset creation.
• AI for Good Platform: The AI for Good platform, organized by ITU in partnership with over 40 UN agencies and co-convened with Switzerland, attracted over 1 million online views and 100,000 users in 2023.
• AI Governance: A collaborative white paper by ITU and UNESCO identified over 50 policy instruments within the UN system that can inform AI governance. The UN System Principles for the Ethical Use of AI were endorsed by the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) and the CEB in 2022 and 2024 respectively.
• Project Status: Over 90% of projects reported their current status, with 65% being ongoing (up from 57% in 2022). SDG 8 and SDG 17 had the highest number of completed projects.

Key Tracks and Trends

1. SDG Mapping

• 83% of projects are linked to specific SDGs, with most addressing multiple SDGs.
• SDGs 9, 10, 16, and 17 remain top priorities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action) has returned to the top five SDGs, reflecting its growing importance.
• SDGs 6, 7, 12, 14, and 15 require more focused efforts.

2. Project Subject Areas

• Projects span a wide range of areas, including agriculture, environment, health, education, gender, and telecommunications.
• A notable increase in projects related to agriculture and environment aligns with the growing emphasis on SDG 13.
• Human rights, ethics, and justice are also key areas of focus.

3. Multi-stakeholder Collaboration

• 60% of projects involved collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• 30% of projects collaborated within the UN system.
• 24% with governments, 20% with academia, and 17% with the private sector.
• The increase in collaboration with governments is significant, showing a growing interest in AI-driven solutions.

4. Reports and Software Tools

• 74% of projects reported their types or outputs.
• Software tools such as mobile and web applications, dashboards, and chatbots are widely used.
• Datasets are also being developed by a smaller percentage of projects.
• The focus has shifted from SDG 3 (Health) to SDG 13 (Climate Action) in terms of software tool development.

5. Looking Forward

• The report aims to continue analyzing trends to provide insights into the nature and status of UN AI activities.
• Future editions will seek to deepen the understanding of AI's role in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
• Ongoing efforts emphasize the need for responsible AI development, ethical considerations, and inclusivity to avoid exacerbating the digital divide.

Conclusion

The 2023 report underscores the UN's commitment to harnessing AI for sustainable development, emphasizing collaboration, ethical use, and multi-stakeholder engagement. It serves as a valuable resource for identifying areas where AI can have the greatest impact, while also highlighting the need for continued investment and strategic focus to ensure equitable access and benefits from AI technologies across the globe.