DUBAI: Governments need to provide an ethical regulatory framework for the artificial intelligence sector, and provide public education to counter fears of the emerging technology.
This is according to the World Economic Forum’s Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab who was speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.
“We are living in a transition into a new time that will change everything. How we communicate, how we work and how we live,” he said.
“Governments have to be an agent of change in lighting speed … They need to provide the necessary infrastructure to sustain change at this rate.”
Schwab urged governments to work together to create what he said was the necessary ethical policies around new technologies so they can serve humankind.
“What we are seeing today as international efforts, is not enough. We need a coordinated global process to make sure that those technologies are constructive,” he added.
“Many people are afraid of the future because the progress is so fast. Not understanding new technologies can create fear. It is our job to educate and allow people to understand this technology, so it is not feared,” he explained.
He added that AI should not be treated and regulated like nuclear technology. “It is an enabling technology, governments have a big responsibility in shaping these regulations and rules.
“Government people today have to be governance architects to create a systems approach to define a system-oriented attitude,” he said.
Schwab added: “The future is shaped by us, so let’s look with optimism into the future. Let’s look at our future with constructive optimism.”
Schwab commended the UAE’s foresight in appointing an AI minister in 2017, recognizing the transformative impact of these technologies on all aspects of life.
“This transformation has redefined the foundations of global economies, now based on knowledge, data, and intelligent insights. This means that governments need to adapt at lightning speed,” Schwab said.
A key mandate for governments, according to Schwab, is developing the talent needed to shape this new era. With WEF research indicating that 50% of jobs will be directly or indirectly impacted within the next 5-10 years, he emphasized the crucial role of education in equipping individuals with the necessary capabilities.
