United Nations leaders warn of AI risks and multilateralism collapse

During the United Nations General Assembly, leaders addressed critical threats to global stability, focusing on the rise of artificial intelligence and the erosion of multilateralism.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the risks posed by AI, noting that power is shifting from governments to a small number of private companies through control over data, computing capacity, and algorithms. He warned of the need for urgent cooperation to prevent an escalation between powers and to ensure human control over rapidly advancing AI systems. The UN has established initiatives such as the Global Digital Compact and an independent scientific panel to manage these technological risks.

Additionally, discussions centered on the defense of international law and multilateralism. Concerns were raised regarding actors who actively work to dismantle international principles by questioning rules, breaching them with impunity, and undermining the financial stability of international organizations. The discourse emphasized the need for urgent reforms to protect the international order against systemic shifts toward isolationism and the disregard for scientific evidence.