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Andrew Brown

Albanese at odds with Trump on calls to slow down AI

AI could eclipse the Industrial Revolution and the internet, US President Donald Trump told the UN. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Donald Trump has lashed out at countries seeking to rein in artificial intelligence, even suggesting the technology's name should be changed to lessen anxieties, as Anthony Albanese urges further safeguards.

In an address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Australian time, the US president said the technology should be renamed as "super intelligence", rejecting calls for further protections for it.

He said AI had a potential to be bigger than the Industrial Revolution or the internet.

ANTHONY ALBANESE UNITED STATES VISIT
President Donald Trump has previously expressed concerns about AI were a hoax. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

"The use of the world artificial makes intelligence sound fake. It is not fake, it's actually amazing," he told delegates.

"The United States also totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control the artificial intelligence being spoken of."

He said the use of the technology should be actively encouraged, instead of being curtailed.

Mr Trump has previously expressed concerns about AI were a hoax and limiting its growth would cause America to cede ground to China.

The comments come a day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined more than 20 other countries urging greater oversight for AI.

ANTHONY ALBANESE UNITED STATES VISIT
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are attending the UN. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The joint statement - also signed by Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and South Africa - warned the pace of AI's development could outpace abilities to manage the associated risks.

"AI must remain under human direction, oversight and control. It must be developed and used in line with international law," the joint statement said.

The prime minister will tell a UN coalition for child protections in the AI age that while the technology had the potential for opportunities, there were dangers involved.

"We also see that AI can pose a range of potential risks. From the exploitation of children, the potential to enable biological weapons, or even the lose of control of AI systems themselves," he will say.

ANTHONY ALBANESE UNITED STATES VISIT
Former minister for foreign affairs Julie Bishop met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the UN. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

"And as AI capabilities advance, these risks will increasingly cross borders."

The UN coalition will be held alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Mr Albanese will say countries can not manage the challenges of AI alone.

"As leaders from our nations, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, we are here to demonstrate our commitment, a commitment to deliver tangible outcomes," he said.

ANTHONY ALBANESE UNITED STATES VISIT
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney before opening addresses. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

"We can help build common standards that protect our children and our communities.

"We can develop clear, shared expectations and common guardrails."

Mr Albanese was in the audience for Mr Trump's address to the United Nations, alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

The prime minister also briefly spoke with former foreign minister Julie Bishop and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

He will come face-to-face with the US president for a gala dinner being held for visiting leaders as part of the UN on Tuesday, New York time.

ANTHONY ALBANESE UNITED STATES VISIT
President Trump rejected "any attempt to construct a globalist scheme" to control AI. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

However, it is not known if the two leaders will sit down for a formal bilateral meeting during the UN General Assembly.

Mr Albanese was also set to outline plans to the UN forum for Australia to legislate national standards for AI.

The prime minister announced the standards in a speech in July in Sydney, which established rules for how data centres can operate.

He will tell the forum Australia had the potential to lead the world on AI standards much as it had on social media reforms, which banned accounts for users under 16.

"We can reaffirm our national sovereignty and our shared humanity," he will say.

"We can seize and share and shape the opportunities this moment holds, in the interests of all our citizens, but we can only do it together."

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