AI emerged as a leading issue during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, with governments debating innovation, regulation, security and equitable access.
“AI is indeed a game changer, with enormous promise to advance medicine, accelerate scientific discovery, expand opportunity and improve lives,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
However, Guterres warned that technological development without effective oversight could cause serious harm.
“The danger is not technology. The danger is technology without accountability: capability without oversight, decision-making without transparency,” Guterres said.
UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman said countries should not prevent innovation but needed safeguards grounded in scientific evidence.
“AI can be a powerful accelerator of human progress. Therefore, we must not close the door to innovation,” Rahman said.
Developing countries warned that AI could create another global divide if computing power, data, skills and decision-making remained concentrated in wealthier economies.
South Africa called for Africa to participate in AI research and governance, while India defended the right of each country to develop systems aligned with national priorities.
“The Global South cannot simply become a destination for data centres while decisions about AI are made elsewhere,” Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Haji Hasan said.
China called for a people-centred approach and wider sharing of technological benefits.
“We should develop AI for the positive and for good, narrow the digital divide and promote development that is universally beneficial,” China Vice-President Han Zheng said.
Several countries also raised concerns about cybersecurity, autonomous weapons, information integrity and the potential loss of human control.
Singapore proposed stronger international cooperation, including a possible UN framework convention and dedicated international AI institution.
Türkiye also supported an international legal framework, while the UK called for global principles and standards.
The United States (US) cautioned against rules that could restrict growth and innovation.
“I’m not going to stifle growth of something that will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution,” US President Donald Trump said.
The UN has established an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
Guterres said independent oversight and a global risk-management framework were needed because AI presented opportunities and risks crossing national borders.
“Because this affects us all, global coordination is indispensable,” Guterres said.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
