On 29 March 2023, at Palais des Nations in Geneva, the Mission of Latvia to the United Nations held a panel discussion on “Protecting information integrity in the age of artificial intelligence”.
The panel discussion was organized in the margins of the 26th session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development. The aim of the event was to seek solutions to protecting information integrity in the age of artificial intelligence and countering disinformation that undermines international security. Experts stressed that democratic countries have an obligation to safeguard democratic values. Speakers called for investing in education and media literacy, as well as working on international norms that reduce risks associated with the artificial intelligence tools.
The discussion brought together internationally recognized cross-regional experts: Code for Africa organization was represented by its Chief Executive, Mr Justin Arenstein; Global Affairs Canada – by the Deputy Director of the Digital Inclusion Lab, Ms Aaryn Zhou; Fundación Multitudes – by Executive Director Ms Paulina Ibarra; Democracy Reporting International – by the Digital Democracy Research Coordinator, Mr Jan Nicola Beyer; and Office of the UNHCHR – by the Director for Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development, Ms Peggy Hicks.
The event was opened by Latvian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Mr Bahtijors Hasans, and it was moderated by the Special Envoy on Digital Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Mr Viktors Makarovs. Almost one hundred representatives of the UN Member States and non-governmental organizations participated at the panel discussion.
The goal of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development is to facilitate cooperation between developed and developing countries with an aim to stimulate the use of technologies for making progress towards the UN Agenda 2030.