The Elders, an international leadership group founded by Nelson Mandela, has urged governments across the world for immediate intervention and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stating that the technology is developing faster than current regulations and safety valves.

In a statement released on Saturday, global leaders from the Elders group have warned that unchecked AI growth threatens security, human rights, and the environment, urging governments to act swiftly with regulations to ensure public safety and long-term global stability.

“Artificial intelligence is advancing at a pace that demands urgent and coordinated global action to ensure it serves humanity safely and responsibly, rather than putting it at risk, “read the statement.

The group also rejected claims that AI cannot be controlled or that private companies can regulate themselves effectively.

“People expect their governments to regulate companies so profit is not prioritized over public safety. We reject claims that governments cannot or should not regulate AI: because technology moves too quickly, because companies will regulate themselves, because geopolitical competition matters more than public safety. These narratives are all misleading,” read the statement.

Founded in 2007 by Mandela, the Elders group has  some of the most prominent global figures — Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Yunus, and Denis Mukwege among others.

The demands of the group are focused on three important aspects.

First is the aspect of peace and security; experts have indicated that the rapid integration of AI in military operations could result in conflicts and the violation of international laws. 

Second is the aspect of human rights; AI has been used for mass surveillance, spreading of false information, and discrimination against people, which has resulted in a lack of trust among people.

Finally, there is the aspect of environmental concerns; AI has a large energy and water consumption rate, especially in environments that are already challenged.

The experts have also indicated some of the steps that need to be taken by governments; these include international discussions, the formation of international regulation agencies, and the development of AI. The experts have indicated that unless governments are careful, the profit motive could outweigh safety concerns for the public.

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