Artificial intelligence has officially joined the ranks of global challenges being addressed at this year’s United Nations high-level gathering of world leaders.
Since the launch of ChatGPT three years ago, AI has advanced rapidly, stunning the world with its potential while also sparking concerns about risks such as engineered pandemics, large-scale misinformation, and the possibility of AI systems behaving unpredictably. Experts continue to call for strong safeguards as tech companies push ahead with ever more powerful systems.
In response, the UN has introduced a new governance framework—its most significant step yet toward regulating AI. Previous international efforts, including summits hosted by the UK, South Korea, and France, ended with only non-binding pledges.
Last month, the UN General Assembly took a landmark decision by creating two major bodies on AI: a global dialogue forum and an independent scientific panel of experts to guide governance. On Wednesday, the Security Council will also hold an open debate to explore how AI can be used responsibly in line with international law, and how it might support peacekeeping, diplomacy, and conflict prevention.
SKJ