Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Eleventh Annual Session Forum: UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development Issue: Measures to ensure safety and transparency in the development and use of artificial intelligence Student Officer: Kitty Tseng Position: Deputy Chair Introduction From self-driving cars to robotic violinists, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing at an unprecedented rate. Recent years have seen significant breakthroughs in the field with improved facial and speech recognition, data analysis, self learning algorithms, and autonomous robotics. Nonetheless, AI is more integrated in our lives than you think— whether it be recommended friends on Instagram, spam filters on Gmail, or predictive searches on Google. The world is headed to rely on AI to make decisions about our lives, choices, and interactions in the real world. However, a growing number of critics and experts have expressed their concerns regarding the risks of AI to long-term safety and data security. Some worry that malfunction and incompetence is bound to plague AI machines; others worry that the lack of transparency and insufficient data protection erodes the privacy and control of our data. Artificial superintelligence and improving malware, boasting the limitless power of artificial intelligence machines, also poses a threat to the real world. With AI being inherently hard to monitor and regulate, how does one ensure the safety and transparency in the development and use of artificial intelligence? Definition of Key Terms Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence is an ever-evolving term describing machine intelligence to learn, reason, and self-correct. Examples include apps and programs, autonomous vehicles, and humanoid robots. AI Takeover During an AI takeover, artificial intelligence dominates human intelligence and strips the human species of their control of the real world. Potential forms of an AI takeover include the automation of the workforce and robot uprisings. Ransomware Also known as cryptoviral extortion, ransomware is a type of malware designed to encrypt a victim’s files unless an online ransom is wired to restore access. Background Guide◆ Page 1 of 7 Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Eleventh Annual Session History Development of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence was first used during the Second World War when British computer scientist Alan Turing developed the Bombe machine to decipher German secret codes. A decade later, Ferranti Mark 1 was made to launch the world’s first artificial intelligence program— one capable of beating an amateur in checkers. Soon, scientist Kato of Waseda University developed the first full-scale AI robot WABOT-1. Thenceforth, the globe saw an increase in research on algorithms to code for acquiring information and reaching conclusions. Caption #1: The world’s first AI Robot WABOT-1 (left) and the succeeding musical robot WABOT-2 (right). Artificial Intelligence Today In the past half-century, three factors have contributed to the growth of the artificial intelligence field: advances of mathematical tools, understanding in machine and deep learning, and the explosion of available data. The above is complemented by a so-called “artificial intelligence arms race”, conceived to be a multilateral competition for the best AI technology. Today, intelligent machine systems increase our accuracy and efficiency, AI is used to design art, conduct research, navigate transportation, and provide translations. It is even used notably for the assessment of health-related data, detection of fraud and impostor, and screening for medical defects and other conditions. However, listed are some of the many incidents encapsulating AI misuse: Background Guide◆ Page 2 of 7 Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Eleventh Annual Session Caption #2: Funding in AI worldwide as of March 2019. AI Image Misrecognition In 2015, Google debuted its new image recognition feature. The feature was designed to recognize people, objects, and places with AI and neural network technology. However, one user posted screenshots of Google labelling two black people as “gorillas”. AI Chatter Bot and Racism In 2016, Tay— an artificial intelligence chatter bot released by the Microsoft Corporation— tweeted about racism, the Holocaust, genocide, and more within 24 hours from its launch. Tay was designed to learn language patterns through “casual and playful conversation” with its users. It is believed that Tay’s tweets were parroting offensive statements of her users. Boston Dynamics Robot Blooper In 2017, Boston Dynamics debuted its humanoid robot Atlas at the Congress of Future Scientists and Technologists in a demo with another robot. Atlas is trained to leap over a log and leap up staircases without breaking pace. Autonomous Car Crash In 2018, Uber autonomous SUV struck and killed pedestrian Elain Herzberg under self- driving mode. Uber discovered that its self-driving software did not activate its automatic emergency braking system even after detecting the pedestrian. Background Guide◆ Page 3 of 7 Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Eleventh Annual Session Key Issues Machine malfunctions In spite of all recent advances in artificial intelligence, many machines still fail of malfunction or incompetence. Real-world problems hold a degree of complexity that programmers struggle to cover entirely in their codes. Sensors, too, may fail to pick up a call to action, or an algorithm may fail to comprehend sudden situations presented. Lack of transparency The engines of AI systems are comprised of interconnected networks of neural nodes. As efficient as these systems are, they only allow us to see the input and the output; these machines cannot indicate their underlying reasoning or supporting data for decision made. This emerges as a prominent risk when we rely on machines to make military or medical decisions but are unable to trace back to the data to verify the decision. Insufficient data protection The more data an AI system consumes, the better their algorithms are to identify and respond to patterns. Their algorithms can only function when fed with massive amount of data, aiding them to learn correctly and predict the next step. This inevitably entails the processing of customer and private data. Yet when it comes to machine improvement, nothing’s ever accurate enough. To that end, experts worry about the implications of data consumption, possibly processing more data than intended. Artificial superintelligence As we delve deeper into the field of artificial intelligence systems, we are closer to creating machines that potentially surpass human performance in all domains. This presents the AI control problem: how are we to build a superintelligence agent that helps its creators without entailing harm? If the pattern continues, AI could potentially persuade humans to alter their behaviors or block its creators from interference. As Eliezer Yudkowsky explains, “The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can be used for something else.” Threat of malware Parallel to the development of artificial intelligence stands that of ransomware and viruses. Symantec Technologies estimates that in the near future, the mass distribution malware and ransomware would take minutes, if not seconds, to complete. This, in turn, poses a threat to the operation of AI machines. If ransomware ever reaches, for instance, algorithms coding for autonomous cars or self- operating medical equipment, the consequences are inconceivable. Background Guide◆ Page 4 of 7 Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Eleventh Annual Session Major Parties Involved and Their Views China Today, China stands at the forefront of AI research and development. The nation’s AI research has increased notably in quality and frequency with the help of the government. In July of 2017, China released its “New Generation Artificial Development Plan”, investing more than USD$150 billion into securing its position as leading AI power by 2030. Artificial Intelligence is also noted to be a critical component of China’s Fourth Industrial Revolution— the AI Revolution— and the AI Arms Race. Russia Russia has made AI development one of its many national priorities. In 2018, Russia doubled its investment in artificial intelligence; in October of 2019, Putin published the “National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence”, laying out its long term agenda for advancing Russia’s standing in the AI field. Singapore Singapore is one of the few countries adopting a “human-centric”, ethical approach to the sustainable use of AI. In addition to its S$150 million investment, the nation’s AI governance framework prioritizes data management and stresses transparency and fairness. United States of America Recognizing the potential benefits of AI, the U.S. government has invested more than fifty billion in AI start-ups and expertise research; more than forty states across the United States now actively employ AI in marketing, financing, healthcare, and transportation. In 2019, Executive Order 13859 pronounced the American AI Initiative, promoting AI to protect national interests, security, and values. United Kingdom The United Kingdom leads the ethical use of AI. The nation’s Center of Data Ethics and the Office of AI are two of the world’s first advisory organizations aiding the government,