United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger global governance of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that rapidly advancing technology must be managed responsibly to protect people, especially children, and prevent misuse in areas such as warfare.
Speaking at the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres urged countries to develop international rules that prioritise safety, accountability, and human rights. He warned that powerful AI systems originally designed for civilian applications are increasingly being adapted for military use, raising concerns about autonomous weapons and so-called “killer robots.”
The UN chief said future AI agreements must build global trust and ensure that technology remains under human control. He emphasised that machines can support decision-making, but humans must remain responsible for critical choices involving security, healthcare, justice, and other high-impact areas.
AI has rapidly transformed economies and societies, creating opportunities for innovation while also introducing new risks. According to the UN, the technology has the potential to accelerate development and help address global challenges if it is made accessible and used responsibly.
However, officials warned that the benefits of AI must not be limited to wealthy countries. Guterres called for greater access to AI tools and resources in developing nations to prevent the digital divide from becoming an AI divide that could widen economic and social inequalities.
A major focus of the discussions was protecting children from potential harms linked to artificial intelligence. The UN Secretary-General called for countries and technology companies to support stronger safeguards, including child-focused safety testing, independent oversight, and measures to prevent AI-generated sexual abuse material.
He stressed that children should not be exposed to untested AI systems and called for greater responsibility from companies developing and deploying artificial intelligence technologies.
Human rights were another key priority at the UN dialogue. Guterres said AI systems must not increase discrimination or undermine human dignity. He argued that in sensitive areas such as law enforcement, healthcare, and legal decisions, AI should assist professionals rather than replace human responsibility.
Experts attending the dialogue also highlighted the rapid pace of AI development. Researchers warned that advanced AI systems are becoming increasingly capable and that governments must improve their ability to understand, regulate, and manage emerging risks.
The UN also called for greater transparency from technology companies regarding the environmental impact of AI. Data centres powering artificial intelligence systems require significant amounts of energy and water, leading to calls for companies to disclose their environmental footprint and transition to renewable energy.
Guterres urged major AI companies to support cleaner technologies and work towards powering data centres with renewable energy by 2030. He warned that without responsible planning, AI growth could create new environmental pressures.
The UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance aims to bring together governments, researchers, businesses, and civil society groups to develop a more inclusive approach to managing artificial intelligence. A follow-up meeting is expected to continue discussions on creating global standards for safe and responsible AI development.
As AI continues to advance, the UN is calling for international cooperation to ensure that the technology serves humanity while reducing risks linked to security, inequality, privacy, and environmental impact.
