China News Service, United Nations, October 21. The United Nations Security Council held a public meeting on "The Impact of Scientific Development on International Peace and Security" on the 21st. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong spoke at the meeting, emphasizing that ensuring safety and controllability is the bottom line requirement for scientific and technological development, and that artificial intelligence must always be under human control.
Fu Cong said that while the development of science and technology empowers all walks of life and brings great convenience and opportunities to mankind, it also brings new challenges to international peace and security. Among them, the military application of artificial intelligence is subverting traditional warfare and causing widespread concern. In recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, we have seen AI-driven algorithms and remote manipulation capable of causing unimaginable destruction and civilian casualties.
Fu Cong said that China pays great attention to the issue of science and technology governance. Science and technology is a "double-edged sword". It is necessary to coordinate development and security, encourage innovation and manage risks, so that scientific and technological development can truly benefit all countries and people.
Fu Cong emphasized that adhering to "science and technology for good" is a basic requirement for regulating the development of science and technology. Bridging the digital divide is not only a requirement for common development, but also a need to deal with security risks. Ensuring safety and controllability is the bottom line requirement for scientific and technological development.
Fu Cong emphasized that it is necessary to ensure that artificial intelligence is always under human control and prevent machines from killing people autonomously. We must oppose the abuse of scientific and technological advantages to infringe on the sovereignty of other countries, interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and undermine the stability of other countries. It is necessary to prevent cyber attacks, cyber theft and cyber arms race, especially to ensure the security of critical information infrastructure.
Fu Cong pointed out that some countries have generalized the concept of national security and suppressed high-tech enterprises of other countries without a bottom line on the grounds of preventing risks. They advocate the so-called "decoupling and breaking of links", erect obstacles to normal economic and trade exchanges and scientific and technological exchanges between countries, carefully organize various "small circles" to exclude specific countries, and build so-called "small courtyards and high walls." The real intention of these practices is to solidify its own technology monopoly and hinder the development of other countries. Its essence is the Cold War mentality of zero-sum game.
Fu Cong said that China is particularly worried that compared with the risks brought by technology itself, this artificial division is more harmful to international peace and security, and may eventually lead the world into the abyss of confrontation. China calls on all countries to jointly uphold the concept of openness and inclusiveness, take the implementation of the Future Compact as an opportunity, support the United Nations in playing its role as the main channel for global science and technology governance, and promote science and technology to promote common development, common security, and common progress.