Mr. President,
Artificial intelligence has had a major impact on UN diplomacy over the past two years and marked thus also Switzerland's term as an elected member of the Security Council. The impact of this technology on the maintenance of international peace and security is a pertinent and timely topic. We would like to thank the United States for organizing this event, and the speakers for their insightful presentations.
The spread of artificial intelligence is characterized by its extremely rapid pace and its profoundly disruptive nature. However, it is taking place within an immutable framework: that of public international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. Switzerland strongly reaffirms that this existing legal framework is fully applicable to AI, as we have repeatedly emphasized. Furthermore, ethical considerations must also be taken into account.
The Security Council must carefully consider the implications of AI for the maintenance of peace and security. In this regard, Switzerland would like to highlight three points:
First: The Council must foster an inclusive discussion on AI governance.
Effective rules are essential to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are safe, secure, and responsibly managed. Countries at the forefront of developing such systems are among the members of this Council; they have a particular responsibility.
But the UN also provides a platform for ongoing dialogue that can ensure the interoperability of governance approaches around the world. To be effective, the meaningful inclusion of all stakeholders - state and non-state - is essential. With several resolutions, including in the military field, as well as the Global Digital Compact, the General Assembly has already begun to establish certain principles, based on almost twenty years of UN experience in the digital field since the World Summit on the Information Society. This work is complemented by other initiatives such as the Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit (REAIM). It is essential that this Council also articulate its perspective on inclusive governance in order to contribute to existing processes and deliberations.
Second: Artificial intelligence is an opportunity for more effective implementation of the Council's mandates.
As a tool, artificial intelligence can facilitate the implementation of Security Council mandates. Switzerland organized an Arria-formula meeting in May 2024 to illustrate this potential, particularly in the context of peace operations. In collaboration with the Geneva-based DiploFoundation, Switzerland has realized an AI-based tool that facilitates access to and analysis of data from ten Council meetings, with a particular focus on the New Agenda for Peace.
Third: The Council must promote measures throughout the life cycle of AI systems to ensure that they are safe, secure and responsibly managed.
As a priority, the Council must better anticipate the impact of technologies such as AI on the maintenance of peace and security, and act preventively. Switzerland organized a Council briefing in October 2024, as well as the publication of a presidential statement on this topic. In this statement, the Council expressed its determination to take more systematic account of scientific advances that could have an impact on international peace and security.
Human beings and their dignity must always be at the heart of the development and use of artificial intelligence systems. Human rights due diligence and human oversight are two essential elements that must be taken into account.
AI also has important implications in the context of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. With two exhibitions organized in collaboration with the ICRC - Digital Dilemmas and Deep Fakes - Switzerland has used its Council presidencies to raise awareness of this issue and the challenges it poses. In partnership with the UNHCR, Switzerland is committed to protecting forcibly displaced persons and humanitarian actors from digital risks such as misinformation and online hate speech. It is therefore exploring how artificial intelligence can help mitigate these risks, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
Mr. President,
The emergence and spread of technologies such as artificial intelligence have a profound implication for global peace and security. Switzerland is convinced of the importance for the Security Council to systematically address these developments in order to identify the necessary political responses and concrete actions. Switzerland is proud to have contributed ideas and impetus during its term of office as an elected member over the past two years.
I thank you.