António Guterres warns hate speech is exploiting new technologies

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that hate speech is exploiting new technologies, such as digital platforms, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, to spread rapidly and deepen societal divisions. Speaking at a global conference on intercultural dialogue, Guterres stated that this toxic rhetoric is “testing our shared humanity” by eroding trust, dehumanizing groups, and dividing communities.

He emphasized that hate speech—including racism, misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism, and Islamophobia—can incite violence and contribute to atrocities such as genocide and war crimes. Guterres called for a collective effort involving governments, civil society, and tech companies to address both the root causes and the consequences of such rhetoric. He stressed that while combating hate speech is essential, it must not undermine freedom of expression, noting that “freedom of expression must never be an excuse for causing or compounding harm.”

UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman also addressed the issue, noting that hate speech often stems from fear and a lack of understanding between different faiths and cultures.