An Open Letter to the United Nations Secretary-General on the Occasion of the Announcement of the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence

As someone deeply engaged in the spheres of technology governance and policy formulation, my tenure on the Board of Directors for ICANN, the Board of Trustees for the Internet Society, the Board of Directors of AfriNIC, the Board of Directors of OP3FT, and as a member of the UN's Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group, along with leadership roles at industry forerunners like Google and Meta, has afforded me a unique vantage point. It's from this junction of business, technology, and governance that I bring forth the following recommendations, cognizant of the multifaceted implications of AI governance in today's digitally worth-oriented society.

A Global Perspective: Amplifying Voices from Asia, Africa, and Latin America

It is imperative to include civil society groups from Asia, Africa, and Latin America in AI governance conversations. The current landscape of discourse is overwhelmingly represented by voices from the West. This limited inclusivity puts the international governance of artificial intelligence at risk of tunnel vision, disregarding the unique socio-cultural and economic dynamics of these regions. Therefore, the United Nations should act as the vanguard in democratizing the dialogue, ensuring a holistic and globally representative approach to AI governance.

The Imperative of multistakeholderism

Despite criticisms about the speed and efficacy of internet governance models that adhere to an open and multistakeholder principle, this approach should be non-negotiable in the realm of AI governance. A model dominated solely by governments or the private sector contravenes the ethos of the Internet—a platform built upon the principles of accessibility, openness, and collective governance. Multistakeholderism should not just be an ideal, but an actionable strategy. Each stakeholder, regardless of their size or geopolitical origin, should be empowered and granted a genuine voice in shaping AI's governance.

Measured Speed: Quality Over Quick Fixes

The private sector often operates under the motto of "Move Fast and Break Things." While this has driven innovation, it has also given rise to significant societal and ethical dilemmas. The urgency to act should not cloud the necessity for thoughtful deliberation. For this reason, the United Nations should spearhead the formulation of a global governance framework for AI, one that proceeds within a measured and strategically outlined timeline. This ensures that not only are regulatory measures robust and all-encompassing, but they also align with the bedrock principles of our society.

The digital era, punctuated by the rise of artificial intelligence, is a frontier that promises unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The scale of its impact is global, and thus, its governance must be as well. The UN, as a body that stands for international cooperation and shared responsibility, has a crucial role to play in this endeavor. I earnestly recommend that the newly announced High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence adopts these guidelines to frame an AI governance model that is truly global, genuinely inclusive, and profoundly responsible.

Yours sincerely,

Khaled Koubaa

CEO, AT Worthy Technology