UN Chief Calls for Global AI Safeguards
UN Chief Guterres Urges Global Safeguards for AI Technology
Source: UN
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing member states, emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to establish international safeguards for artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that every delay in creating such measures increases risks for everyone.
Guterres highlighted the growing gap between rapid AI advancements and human oversight capabilities, raising critical questions about accountability, fairness, safety, and governance. He stressed that no nation should design, deploy, or use AI technologies in armed conflicts in ways that violate international humanitarian or human rights laws. This includes the use of autonomous AI systems for targeting during military conflicts.
“The fate of humanity must never be left to the ‘black box’ of an algorithm,” UN Secretary-General @AntonioGuterres urges Security Council to act decisively to establish international guardrails for artificial intelligence (#AI)
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The Secretary-General cautioned against the rising geopolitical competition over emerging technologies, stressing that it must not destabilize international peace and security. He likened AI to a double-edged sword, offering immense potential for benefits, such as predicting climate-induced displacement or detecting landmines, but also posing grave threats when misused in military systems or digital security.
He pointed out that recent conflicts have tested AI’s military applications, including autonomous monitoring and decision-making on life-and-death issues. The integration of AI into nuclear weapons systems and the potential destabilization caused by quantum-AI technologies were flagged as particularly alarming. “Humanity’s fate cannot be entrusted to the ‘black box’ of an algorithm,” Guterres asserted, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in decisions involving the use of force.
The UN chief also raised concerns about AI’s role in spreading misinformation. Tools like deepfakes and AI-generated disinformation could manipulate public opinion, fuel crises, and erode societal trust. Additionally, the environmental impact of AI was underscored, with large-scale resource demands for data centers potentially intensifying geopolitical competition over critical minerals.
“Unprecedented global challenges call for unprecedented global cooperation,” Guterres declared. He urged collective action to ensure that AI benefits everyone without exacerbating inequalities.
He outlined key steps for global AI governance, including the UN’s Global Digital Compact, adopted during the Future Summit. Two significant proposals aimed at strengthening international collaboration and building capacity were also supported during the General Assembly, with one specifically focusing on the military use of AI.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated his call for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons and urged the Security Council to take a leading role in preventing the militarization of AI. “We must work together for a safe and inclusive AI-driven future,” he concluded.
