Artificial Intelligence and other new technologies require regulation through international conventions, which will give legal certainty and build trust. Participating during a high-level panel as part of the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference, held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat spoke about the practicality of new technologies.

“We all use aircraft to travel, yet few of us know how to drive a plane and simply go on board trusting the technology. It is a matter of trust in the systems. Trust is what is needed right now with new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence”, said Dr Muscat.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the work implemented by Malta over the past years, such as for the legislation of blockchain, is now turning up on the international agenda.

Muscat was one of UNESCO’s main guests for the high-level event named ‘(Re)generation: Rethinking Multilateralism with Young Change-Makers’. Heads of state and government were invited to engage with young leaders and agents of change from all over the world as a means to deepen global cooperation and strengthen the foundations of international dialogue.

The Prime Minister said there is a way to give young people a stronger voice. “I have one practical suggestion – lower the voting age and let 16-year-olds take decisions as to who should govern their countries”, stated Dr Muscat, who referred to this positive step in Malta which is working wonders and showing trust in practice towards youngsters.

Other speakers at this high-level event included the presidents of Estonia, Sierra Leone and Latvia.