The Maldives has called for small states to have a greater role in shaping global rules governing artificial intelligence, with Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef highlighting the potential of AI to help countries overcome geographical and economic limitations.
Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Vice President said artificial intelligence can help small states overcome geographical distance and the limitations of small scale, while improving healthcare, education and public services.
He stressed that the opportunities created by AI must be shared, saying every country should have a voice in developing the global rules that govern the technology.
The Vice President also cautioned that digital transformation should strengthen national capacity rather than create new dependencies.
He said AI presents an opportunity for small states to overcome some of the constraints associated with their size, while stressing the importance of ensuring that the benefits of technological development are accessible to all.
The remarks come as the international community continues efforts to establish more inclusive approaches to global AI governance. The United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance was established to provide a platform for governments and other stakeholders to discuss international cooperation on AI governance.
