On December 20, 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the Security Council to establish international regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) during a meeting in New York. He warned that delays in governance could heighten threats to global peace and security.
Guterres emphasized the rapid advancements in AI, stating that they are outpacing humanity's ability to effectively manage the technology. He noted the dual-edged nature of AI, acknowledging its potential benefits, such as predicting climate change-induced displacements, while also highlighting risks, particularly its misuse in military applications.
“Every moment of delay in establishing international guardrails increases the risk for us all,” Guterres stated. He condemned the development and deployment of military AI systems that could violate international humanitarian and human rights laws, particularly those that autonomously select or engage targets.
The Secretary-General expressed concerns about the integration of AI into military systems, warning it could destabilize international security. He referenced alarming trends, including the potential combination of AI with nuclear weapons and the rise of quantum-AI systems.
Guterres pointed out that recent conflicts have served as testing grounds for military AI applications, which include autonomous surveillance and predictive policing. He stressed that the fate of humanity should not be left to algorithms without human oversight.
Additionally, he raised issues regarding AI's impact on information integrity, citing risks such as deepfakes and disinformation that could manipulate public opinion and erode societal trust. He also mentioned the environmental impact of AI, particularly the energy demands of data centers and the geopolitical competition for essential minerals used in AI technologies.
Guterres concluded by outlining recent initiatives for AI governance, including the UN Global Digital Compact and two General Assembly resolutions aimed at fostering global cooperation and capacity-building in this area.