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UN Artificial Intelligence Conference; ITU Secretary-General Says One Third of Earth's Population Lacks Access to This Technology

Feb 4, 2026 February 4, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The UN held a conference on artificial intelligence, discussing its benefits and risks. António Guterres highlighted the transformative potential of AI while warning about accessibility issues, noting that one third of the global population lacks access to this technology. This is significant as it raises concerns about inequality and misinformation in the age of AI.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The UN conference highlights critical issues of AI accessibility and ethical governance that resonate across global and regional contexts.

👥 Key Players

António Guterres MENTIONED
UN Secretary-General
"As the head of the UN, Guterres plays a crucial role in shaping global discussions on technology and its implications for society, including in Iran."
Doreen Bogdan-Martin MENTIONED
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union
"Her focus on accessibility issues highlights the digital divide, which is relevant for Iran where technology access can be limited."
Tristan Harris MENTIONED
Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology
"His insights into the ethical implications of AI are significant for discussions on technology governance in Iran and globally."

📰 What Happened

A UN conference on artificial intelligence was held, focusing on its benefits and risks, particularly the accessibility issues affecting one third of the global population. Key officials emphasized the need for responsible AI development and the dangers of misinformation.

  • One third of the global population lacks access to AI technology.
  • Experts warned about the risks of misinformation and bias in AI.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The discussion on AI accessibility is crucial for Iran, where technological advancements can impact economic development and social equity.
🌍 Regional: In the Middle East, unequal access to technology could exacerbate existing disparities and hinder regional development.
🌐 International: Globally, the conversation about AI governance and ethical considerations is increasingly relevant, especially for countries like the U.S. and EU that are leading in AI development.

📚 Background

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various sectors, but its benefits are not evenly distributed, leading to concerns about inequality and misinformation.

Digital divide Ethics of artificial intelligence
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article presents a balanced view of the discussions at the UN conference, reflecting a range of expert opinions.

Senior officials from the United Nations and technology leaders discussed the potentials of artificial intelligence on Thursday, while warning about the risks of this technology. The two-day conference 'AI for Good' has been held annually in Geneva, Switzerland since 2017. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, 'Artificial intelligence is changing the world and our lives, and it has a bright outlook in areas such as education, healthcare, and meteorology.' In a video link to the conference, he also emphasized the need to avoid bias, misinformation, and reduce security threats in the field of artificial intelligence. AI technologies like 'ChatGPT' have gained significant popularity since 2022. However, experts have repeatedly warned that AI-based innovations can lead to the spread of misleading and false information. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, pointed out that this technology is not accessible to everyone. In her opening remarks, she said, 'In 2024, in the age of artificial intelligence, one third of the human population will be excluded from this field and remain voiceless. What is obvious to us is completely alien to 2.6 billion people around the world.' Other experts in separate speeches at the conference stressed the importance of enhancing the safety of AI technology. Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, stated that AI companies have incentives to achieve market dominance, which increases the risk of negative consequences. A review of successful companies and programs in artificial intelligence; an interview with Pouria Nazemi. Meta discovered a network producing deceptive content that was likely generated by AI. Elon Musk's prediction for the future: AI will replace all jobs. Reuters: Microsoft's contract with the UAE could transfer American AI technology abroad. The U.S. House Committee agreed to impose restrictions on the export of AI systems.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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