cau21lastwinter

António Guterres - Governing Technology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Glossary1. digital sovereignty - 디지털 주권2. human rights–based approach - 인권 기반 접근법 Word Count: 430   Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, We are living through a technological transformation of unprecedented speed and scale. Artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies are reshaping economies, societies, and power relations across the world. These innovations hold enormous promise, but they also carry profound risks. How we govern technology today will determine whether it becomes a force for inclusion and progress—or for division and harm. Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than our institutions can adapt. AI systems are already influencing how decisions are made, how information is distributed, and how economies function. Yet governance frameworks remain fragmented and incomplete. Without clear rules and shared principles, AI risks amplifying inequality, entrenching bias, and undermining trust in public institutions. Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around. At the same time, digital technologies have become central to national security and economic resilience. Semiconductors, data infrastructure, and digital platforms are now strategic assets. Cyberattacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication, targeting hospitals, power grids, financial systems, and democratic processes. Cyberspace has become a new domain of conflict, where the absence of norms and accountability creates dangerous instability. Digital sovereignty has therefore emerged as a growing concern for many countries. Governments seek to protect data, critical infrastructure, and technological autonomy. Yet fragmentation of the digital space would weaken innovation, raise costs, and deepen global divides. The challenge is to balance national interests with the need for an open, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem. Ethics must be at the center of technological governance. Algorithms must respect human rights, privacy, and human dignity. Transparency, accountability, and oversight are essential—especially when technologies affect access to information, employment, healthcare, and justice. Platforms cannot operate above the law, and profit cannot come at the expense of social responsibility. Global cooperation is indispensable. No country can manage the risks of AI and cyberspace alone. We need inclusive, multilateral frameworks that set common standards, prevent misuse, and ensure that technological benefits are shared widely. Developing countries, in particular, must not be left behind in the digital revolution. This moment is a test of leadership. We have the knowledge and the tools to shape a digital future that works for all. What we need now is collective political will—to place ethics before expediency, cooperation before fragmentation, and human values at the heart of technological progress. Thank you.