Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to deliver the closing remarks for this remarkably insightful and productive Global Conference on the role of Artificial Intelligence in advancing the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
On behalf of the OPCW, I would like to extend our deep appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for co-organising and graciously hosting this highly successful event.
I also wish to thank the States Parties that have generously provided their support in various ways.
To all participants, your valuable presence here and your active engagement has contributed to the success of the Conference.
We thank you for your attendance.
Over the course of the past three days, the Conference has highlighted the transformative potential of AI in advancing the peaceful uses of chemistry, enhancing verification capabilities, and strengthening chemical safety and security.
I wish to recall some recurring topics that have been raised by many speakers.
It is evident that artificial intelligence is touching every aspect of our lives, more so within the domain of science.
Even though AI has been around for many years, recent advancements have led to impressive new abilities, including in the field of chemistry.
Large Language Models are getting better at finding and combining data. This will increasingly impact many aspects of chemistry, not to mention other fields of science and engineering.
For instance, AI could play a pivotal role in helping developing countries improve public health by facilitating the development of new medicines and overcoming barriers to scientific innovations.
We have heard about exciting developments in the design and synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, to include the burgeoning ability to provide on-demand production of certain medicinal compounds at locations of need.
New approaches to predicting toxicities, by utilising, and in some cases even combining the newest AI tools are augmenting our ability to think about risks from chemicals and incorporating these into our products and medicines to our benefit.
Additionally, by assisting in reducing chemical hazards, AI could enhance security and safety in the chemical industry.
Moreover, AI could be a formidable tool in the fight against chemical terrorism.
It has the potential to identify scenarios of chemical misuse, devise countermeasures and secure chemicals throughout the supply chain.
Overall, the Conference underscored the importance of ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all regions and noted the potential of AI to further strengthen the capabilities of developing States Parties including African Member States in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Meanwhile, as Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of human activity, there is a growing need for a better understanding of the risks it poses.
This includes threats to the Chemical Weapons Convention, as highlighted by experts throughout the Conference.
The potential of AI to facilitate the design of new chemical warfare agents or identify new pathways to produce existing agents that avoid scheduled precursors, is a serious concern.
Currently, barriers such as the need for technical expertise or domain knowledge, may delay the risks AI poses in the production of dangerous chemicals.
However, as we have heard over the last few days, these risks could materialise in the not distant future.
This is why today’s Conference is so important.
The outcomes will be useful in preparing the Organisation to appropriately respond to the threats we have identified over these three days.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Another recurring theme from our deliberations is the importance of establishing effective AI governance.
As one of our speakers put it, ‘we need policy that is both timely and timeless’.
There is a need to ensure that AI systems are built, deployed, used, and managed to maximise benefits and prevent harm. This involves not just thinking about how the models are used, but also the data they are trained on.
Promoting responsible use of AI in research and innovation of chemistry will be an ongoing, critical need.
Through continuous exchange and collaboration, AI experts like yourselves will play a key role in shielding humanity from the malicious use of AI, while ensuring its applications are used solely for peace and development.
In concluding, I would like to recognise our speakers and our experts.
Your expertise, innovative ideas, and engaging interventions have truly enriched this Conference.
You sparked new ideas that will undoubtedly shape the future of AI and its impact on the Convention.
Turning to the moderators: your guidance of the discussions in each session, ensured smooth and engaging conversations.
Thank you for your leadership and for helping to bring out the best in each panel discussion.
I express my sincere thanks to the rapporteurs, without whom detailed and accurate records for this Conference would be absent.
As we continue our journey in this rapidly evolving field, let us carry forward the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and ethical responsibility that we have emphasised over these past couple of days.
Working together, we can unlock and realise the advantages of AI in achieving the goals of the Convention, and in contributing to global peace and security.
Thank you all, once again, for your participation and support.
I wish you safe travels home.
Thank you for your kind attention.