UN Chief Calls for Global AI Governance

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke at the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, calling for broad and comprehensive global control over artificial intelligence. He noted that AI technology can reach 1 billion people in just 2 hours, much faster than the internet's 15 years, but current regulations are not ready for machines that can make decisions on their own.

Guterres outlined four priorities: Safety requires countries to agree on regulations to ensure systems are globally trustworthy; Red lines mean human rights cannot be compromised, and humans must make and take responsibility for high-risk decisions; Capacity calls for a global AI fund to bridge the digital divide; Transparency demands that major companies disclose their systems' ecological footprint and use renewable energy for data centers by 2030.

He also stressed that autonomous killer robots are morally repugnant and politically unacceptable, and must be formally banned under international law. If used properly, AI can be a "great equalizer of the 21st century," but safety must be thoroughly tested and legal responsibilities clearly defined.