AI Is Moving “Far Too Fast” For Governments To Keep Up, Says Robert Abela at un

Artificial intelligence is developing so quickly that even governments are struggling to keep pace, Prime Minister Robert Abela told world leaders during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Speaking about trust in technology, Abela described the “sheer speed and sheer power” of AI as “mind-blowing”, saying it can feel overwhelming whether you are looking at it as a political leader, consumer or parent.

He went as far as describing AI as potentially “the biggest change, and the biggest challenge, any of us will experience in our lifetime.”

According to Abela, traditional systems of government and regulation are not currently equipped to fully deal with the scale of the technological shift taking place.

He argued that governments need to be open about the fact that they do not have all the answers, while stressing that no country, regardless of its size or power, can effectively tackle the issue alone.

The Prime Minister called for international cooperation and global rules governing AI, saying public confidence in the technology will depend on ensuring it is used to “enhance and not destroy humanity.”

Malta, he said, supports the implementation of the UN’s Global Digital Compact and wider efforts to strengthen international cooperation around digital technologies.

Abela also linked the rise of new technology to wider security threats, highlighting cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, disinformation and attacks on underwater cables.

For Malta, he argued, these risks are especially significant because the country is heavily dependent on its connections with the outside world.

His message was ultimately clear: AI is not something individual governments can simply regulate within their own borders.

As the technology continues to develop at speed, Abela argued that the rules surrounding it will increasingly need to be developed internationally.

#MaltaDaily