UN chief sounds alarm on AI risk after Trump plays it down

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned world leaders on Wednesday that artificial intelligence's rapid advancement presents risks that cannot be ignored, clashing with President Donald Trump's assertion that existing safeguards are sufficient. Speaking prior to next week's U.N. General Assembly in New York, Guterres told reporters that bolstered oversight would be a key topic in his discussions with global leaders in the city.

"We cannot afford to ignore the concerns raised, particularly by those at the forefront of AI development," Guterres stated. "Protecting citizens, including from AI threats, is a government's primary responsibility." Rising public alarm over AI's potential dangers intensified after Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, citing fears that AI could "kill us all by the end of the decade."

Major industry players urged a slowdown in the technology's development. Trump, on Monday, claimed the U.S. had established safeguards for AI companies, dismissing concerns from industry leaders. Guterres has championed global AI governance, creating a 39-member advisory body in 2023 comprising tech execs, government officials, and academics from nations like the U.S., Russia, and Japan.

The U.N. Security Council may convene on AI during the upcoming New York gathering, diplomats noted. The 15-member council held its inaugural AI discussion in 2023. Guterres emphasized that nations at the vanguard of AI should create channels for communication, information exchange, and common regulations to avert a "race to the bottom" that could result in a global catastrophe.

Trump suggested that China could profit from skepticism surrounding AI development and is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in Washington. Reuters reported that the countries planned an additional meeting in mid-September to address AI risks, led by lower-level officials. Guterres stressed the necessity of a collective understanding of how to responsibly advance AI development while identifying scenarios where more stringent safeguards or measures may be required.