UN Pushes for Global AI Ethics Amid Deepening US-China Tech Divide

The United Nations is rallying nations to establish a global ethical framework for artificial intelligence as geopolitical tensions between the US and China escalate. UNESCO's third Global Forum on AI Ethics in Bangkok drew over 1,000 participants, including 35 ministers from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. The absence of US and Chinese representatives underscored the growing fracture in global AI governance efforts.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO's Director General, emphasized collaboration across governments, businesses, and civil society to prioritize collective good over national or commercial interests. Thailand committed $15 billion and pledged to train 90,000 AI professionals as part of its independent strategy. Experts argue AI governance must shift from a zero-sum competition to a shared global responsibility.