UN Chief Urges Global Rules for AI, Warns of Growing Risks from Autonomous Weapons

UN Chief António Guterres on Monday called for comprehensive global governance of artificial intelligence, warning that increasingly powerful AI systems are being deployed on the battlefield and that autonomous "killer robots" are no longer a future threat but a present reality.

In his address at the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres said any international framework for AI must be "worthy of global trust," prioritize safety, particularly for children, and protect people from AI-enabled manipulation and abuse.

The UN chief also stressed the need to bridge the digital divide, calling for broader access to AI technologies in developing countries and urging that AI data centres be powered by renewable energy by 2030.

"AI sits at the heart of our common future," Guterres said, adding that while machines can support decision-making, "humans must decide, and answer."

The summit brought together government officials, technology companies, researchers and civil society representatives to discuss international cooperation on AI governance. A second dialogue is scheduled to take place in New York in May 2027.

Annalena Baerbock urged coordinated international action to address what she described as the "sinister" side of AI, citing reports that the overwhelming majority of deepfake content is sexual in nature and disproportionately targets women and girls.

Meanwhile, Amandeep Singh Gill said AI should not be shaped by a limited number of actors, calling instead for an inclusive, evidence-based global dialogue.

Co-chair of the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, Yoshua Bengio warned that AI capabilities are advancing faster than governments' ability to regulate them. He said recent tests showed some advanced AI models were capable of deceiving human evaluators, underscoring the need for stronger international oversight.

The meeting follows a series of UN initiatives aimed at developing global AI governance, including the adoption of the Global Digital Compact in 2024. Last month, the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI warned that the technology could cause catastrophic harm if left unchecked or exploited by malicious actors.