The United Nations General Assembly today unanimously adopted the first global resolution on AI in an effort to encourage the protection of personal data, monitor AI for risks, and safeguard human rights.

The resolution, which was sponsored by the U.S. and co-sponsored by 123 other nations, was adopted by consensus and will have the support of all 193 U.N. member nations. The nonbinding agreement will provide a “comprehensive vision” for all nations that deploy AI, with the onus being on governing the technology rather than letting “it govern us.”

Those were the words of Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the U.N., who introduced the resolution. She said it will also help less developed countries not to get left behind where AI is concerned.

“So let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she said. “Let us commit to closing the digital gap within and between nations and using this technology to advance shared priorities around sustainable development.”

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan echoed such sentiments in a White House press release when he said the resolution will help foster “equitable access” to AI around the globe while managing the various risks inherent in developing a powerful technology. He said the resolution lays down a path for protecting privacy, guarding against misuse, and preventing “exacerbated bias and discrimination.”

“The resolution squarely addresses the priorities of many developing countries, such as encouraging AI capacity building and harnessing the technology to advance sustainable development,” he said. “Critically, the resolution makes clear that protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms must be central to the development and use of AI systems.”

Although there are plenty of concerns around the development of AI, related mostly to privacy,  millions of people in the workplace being displaced, and the specter of AI becoming too powerful and going rogue on us humans, some within the tech industry believe this “gift” to humanity can help us prosper only if governments take a more hands-off approach.

That’s what billionaire Marc Andreessen, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, believes. He said it should be our “moral obligation” to let companies develop AI without them being subjected to a “moral panic.” He called AI the “best thing our civilization has ever created,” saying it should not be held back by “regulatory capture.” Taking the “Greed is good” approach, he said companies will fight for AI supremacy, but the positives will trickle down to create less income inequality and better standards of living in the world.

Andreessen hasn’t yet spoken about the U.N.’s resolution, but it has some support already from the private sector. “We fully support the @UN’s adoption of the comprehensive AI resolution,” Microsoft Corp. Vice Chair and President Brad Smith wrote on X today. “The consensus reached today marks a critical step towards establishing international guardrails for the ethical and sustainable development of AI, ensuring this technology serves the needs of everyone.”

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