The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, emphasised that artificial intelligence presents enormous opportunities for international peace and security, from logistical support for peacekeeping operations to conflict detection and prevention, although he also warned of significant risks, such as the spread of disinformation or the irresponsible use of autonomous military technologies.
Albares, who participated on Tuesday 22 April in Geneva at the opening of the Alliance of Civilisations AI for #OneHumanity: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Dialogue, which discusses the desire for artificial intelligence to foster intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation, stressed that Spain firmly believes that ethical considerations and human rights must be at the heart of technological development.
In this regard, the Minister underscored that this is what Spanish legislation does and what the Spanish Government has promoted within the European Union, while stressing that we also need the United Nations to play a central role in the global conversation on artificial intelligence, to ensure that no one is left behind and that we maintain a fair multilateral framework, based on international law, that includes all actors and stakeholders and that promotes the Sustainable Development Goals.
Spain's efforts
In his speech, Albares said that Spain will continue to do what it can to contribute to these efforts, after citing several examples of investment in research and development in artificial intelligence, both in the public and private spheres, such as the Digital Spain 2025 Plan or grants worth over €120 million.
Albares further revealed that the Spanish Government will propose a Law on the Governance of Artificial Intelligence with the aim of ensuring that applications respect fundamental rights and promote transparency, accountability and fairness. He called for multilateral governance of artificial intelligence that places people, their dignity and their rights at the centre.
Albares stressed that this is one of the great challenges of our time, which affects us all and can only be addressed by everyone together. He insisted that these initiatives are necessary in the current international context, while admitting his concern about the belligerent rhetoric and measures taken by some of the main actors against the UN system, such as the withdrawal from organisations and the elimination or reduction of financial contributions.
The Minister stated that Spain's response to these moves will be to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism in order not to give ground or abandon aspects that Spanish foreign policy considers essential.
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