UN chief warns of AI risks, calls for global governance

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged global action to address the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly its potential misuse in global peace and security, Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session, Guterres highlighted AI’s transformative power but warned of its significant dangers, including the lack of adequate governance.

He cautioned that AI’s rapid development is outpacing human oversight, raising critical concerns about accountability, safety, and equality. “The fate of humanity must never be left to the ‘black box’ of an algorithm,” he said, emphasizing the need to maintain human control in decision-making.

While AI has benefited conflict-affected regions through applications like food security analysis and landmine clearance, Guterres expressed alarm over its use in warfare and the ongoing “AI arms race,” which he said increases the risk of catastrophic errors.