New York – UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Wednesday that artificial intelligence must not be allowed to determine life-and-death decisions or operate outside human oversight, calling on world governments to adopt robust regulatory frameworks to address the escalating risks posed by the rapidly advancing technology. Addressing a high-level debate of the United Nations Security Council in New York, Guterres said AI is already transforming societies, economies, and the global security environment at an unprecedented pace. He underscored the urgency of establishing international rules to ensure that AI remains under human control, particularly in military and security contexts.
“Humanity’s fate must not be left to an algorithm,” Guterres said during the session. “Decisions on the use of force must always remain under human judgment and within the boundaries of international law.” He cited recent conflicts where AI-enabled systems have been deployed for autonomous targeting and cyber operations, raising concerns about accountability and compliance with international humanitarian norms. The UN chief warned that unregulated use of AI could exacerbate global instability, noting that the same technologies capable of improving early warning systems or humanitarian response can also be used to conduct cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure, spread disinformation through deepfakes, and automate lethal force without human intervention.
At the meeting, Guterres outlined four key areas of focus for member states: maintaining human control over the use of force, creating inclusive and coherent regulatory frameworks, safeguarding the integrity of information ecosystems, and addressing the widening AI capacity gap between developed and developing nations. He said progress in these areas is necessary to prevent misuse and ensure that AI contributes to peace and development rather than conflict. To support these objectives, the Secretary-General highlighted two recent initiatives: the establishment of a new scientific advisory board to guide AI policy based on independent expertise, and the launch of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
Global dialogue launched to shape AI governance
The first session of the global dialogue is set to begin this week in New York, aiming to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to shape international standards. The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible AI use. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told the Council that the UK would play a central role through its AI Safety Institute and its leadership in hosting the secretariat for the International AI Safety Report. He emphasized the need for common global standards and transparency to guide the ethical development of AI technologies.
Alongside efforts by governments and international organizations, civil society and scientific communities have intensified their push for concrete safeguards. More than 200 experts and public figures have signed a Global Call for AI Red Lines, advocating for enforceable international prohibitions on high-risk uses of AI, such as autonomous self-replicating systems and AI applications designed to impersonate humans. The initiative aims to secure agreement on critical restrictions by 2026. Wednesday’s Security Council debate marked the most direct engagement by the UN’s top decision-making body on the implications of AI for global peace and security.
All countries must help shape AI’s global role
Member states, including permanent and non-permanent Council members, acknowledged both the opportunities and threats posed by AI, calling for accelerated cooperation on regulatory frameworks. Guterres concluded his address with a call for collective action, stating that effective governance of AI cannot be postponed. He reiterated that all countries, regardless of technological advancement, must be included in shaping the rules that will govern AI’s role in the future of international security. He added that the decisions made now will determine whether AI is harnessed to uphold peace and protect lives, or whether its unchecked use leads to instability, inequality and conflict. – By Content Syndication Services.