UN report cites US compute dominance and safety risks
A new report from the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence highlights the concentration of global compute power in the United States. Maria Ressa argued that the lack of control over frontier models necessitates collective international action.
Maria Ressa, co-chair of the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, discussed the panel's July report, which details the current landscape of global AI infrastructure. The report notes that 75% of the world's compute power is located in America, while China holds 15% and the European Union, a major regulatory body, holds 5%. Ressa emphasized that the pace of AI development has accelerated to the point where developers themselves admitted in July that they could not control frontier models.
Ressa argued that the United States voted against the creation of the panel, yet its work has established necessary facts for global governance. She stated that no single country can fix AI governance alone and called for a collective approach among the 193 UN member states. This includes engaging the global south to create a new world order capable of withstanding the influence of major tech powers. The report underscores the urgency of international cooperation in the face of rapidly evolving technological capabilities and safety concerns.