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The UN Secretary-General urged a global governance framework to guide artificial intelligence development for humanity’s benefit, warning against letting the technology dictate our future. He emphasized that AI is advancing rapidly, warning that society is conducting an uncontrolled experiment without proper oversight or consent. Addressing this in Geneva at the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, Guterres stressed that AI is already reshaping the world, posing the question of whether we will steer this change collaboratively or be passively shaped by it.
He cautioned that AI systems are no longer simple tools waiting for commands; they are independently generating code, making decisions online, and acting with diminishing human oversight. Our existing institutions, designed to regulate machines that obey instructions, are ill-equipped to manage autonomous decision-making entities. The proliferation of AI further complicates distinguishing truth from falsehood, fostering a cultural shift toward blind trust in technology and outcomes.
While coding a machine’s desires through “vibe–coding” can produce impressive results, Guterres warned that “we cannot vibe–code the truth or humanity’s future.” A central concern is the concentration of AI power within a limited number of corporations and nations, leaving many countries out of the decision-making process that will shape their destiny. He urged nations to avoid drifting passively into the future and instead govern AI with intentional design, promoting benefits such as accelerated progress, better healthcare, and wider educational access—all under strict safety standards respecting human rights.
Guterres called for international collaboration on risk assessment methods and standards, especially to protect children using AI systems. He advocates for a global AI safety pledge that mandates companies verify that child-friendly systems are secure and free from abuse, and that they provide immediate human support when kids show signs of distress. No child should be exploited as a test subject for unregulated AI.
Highlighting the importance of bridging the digital divide, he proposed establishing a UN-backed Global Fund for AI to foster skills, data access, and affordable computing worldwide. Addressing climate concerns, Guterres urged transparency from companies about their environmental impact and committed to powering all data centers with renewable energy by 2030.
Despite these priorities, his greatest worry remains military applications of AI, particularly lethal autonomous weapons—machines capable of selecting and engaging targets without human judgment, which he describes as “killer robots.” He strongly advocates for an international ban on such systems, emphasizing their moral repugnance. Guterres underscored the urgency to implement safeguards that ensure AI advances in a positive direction, warning that humanity’s window to set the terms for coexistence with intelligent machines is closing fast—”the door is still open, but not for long.”
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