Secretary Antony J. Blinken addressed the Freedom Online Coalition Ministerial Event on AI for Humanity during the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of digital governance and international cooperation in protecting human rights online.
"From day one, President Biden has made defending democracy at home and around the world a core priority for his administration," Blinken stated. He highlighted that authoritarian regimes are increasingly using technology to censor and surveil their citizens, while civil society groups leverage social media to document and share human rights abuses globally.
Blinken acknowledged the efforts of Ambassador Tahzib and thanked the Netherlands for chairing the coalition this year, as well as Estonia for taking on the role next year. He also welcomed new members Cabo Verde, Slovenia, Colombia, and Taiwan as an observer.
The United States is committed to ensuring that digital technologies enhance rights and privacy. Blinken noted that since 2021, the coalition has grown from 32 to 41 members and is actively working to promote internet freedom and combat censorship. "Together, this coalition is enhancing internet freedom and combating censorship," he said.
He cited examples such as supporting the Open Technology Fund with Germany and Estonia to help millions access VPNs and other tools to bypass firewalls and internet shutdowns. The coalition is also working on curbing digital surveillance by defining guardrails for government use of surveillance technologies.
In addition, Blinken mentioned efforts to counter disinformation and build a resilient global information system. The coalition is also focusing on responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI). This year saw a landmark UN resolution promoting safe AI use for sustainable development adopted by every member state.
"A few weeks ago, we joined fellow democracies in signing the Council of Europe’s AI Convention – the world’s first multilateral treaty on AI and human rights," Blinken announced.
The Freedom Online Coalition released a joint statement on responsible AI practices aimed at protecting citizen rights, safety, and privacy. Blinken stressed that swift implementation of these principles is crucial.
"We look forward on the part of the United States to continuing this vital work together in the months and years to come," he concluded.
