The development of international legal regulation of artificial intelligence within the United Nations
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The article, based on the analysis of UN General Assembly resolutions in the field of artificial intelligence (hereinafter – AI), traces the evolution of approaches to international legal regulation of AI at the UN General Assembly level. Artificial intelligence is viewed as a technology that opens significant opportunities for human progress, allowing the reorientation of efforts from routine tasks to creative and productive activities. The use of AI can optimize numerous processes and provide substantial benefits for sustainable social development. At the same time, AI application has negative aspects: the lack of effective mechanisms to control the risks of AI use, possible human rights violations, growing technological inequality, and the risk of slowing progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in developing countries. Additionally, AI prospects are currently overshadowed by uncontrolled experiments with insufficiently tested technology, as artificial intelligence is still at an early stage of its development. Nevertheless, the potential advantages of AI are capable of outweighing the disadvantages, provided that effective mechanisms for controlling possible risks are implemented. These circumstances have led to the transformation of international legal regulation of artificial intelligence, as reflected in UN General Assembly resolutions – from an initial fragmentary approach to comprehensive and systematic regulation. An important step in the development of international legal regulation of AI was the Pact for the Future (Resolution No. 79/1 of 22.09.2024) with the Global Digital Compact annex, adopted by consensus among member states at the UN General Assembly session. This document, having a recommendatory nature as an act of «soft law,» reflects the growing attention of the international community to issues of artificial intelligence regulation. The Pact recognizes the role of human rights and international law in relations between states and proposes a concept of international relations based on the principle of multilateralism for addressing global challenges. The Global Digital Compact, approved as an annex to the Pact, is an attempt to formulate general principles for regulating artificial intelligence at the international level, although its provisions are predominantly declarative in nature without enforcement mechanisms. Despite the absence of imperative norms, this document may serve as a foundation for further development of international legal regulation of AI, provided there is political will among states for its implementation.
Author: V. V. Ihnatusha
Institution: V.M. Koretsky Institute of State and Law
Language: English
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412389679