The United Nations has urged governments to act quickly on global AI regulation as artificial intelligence advances at unprecedented speed.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued the warning on July 6 during the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva. He said AI is developing faster than governments and institutions can respond.
Guterres warned that unchecked AI could affect human rights, public trust, inequality and global security. He also called for international cooperation to ensure that AI serves people safely and fairly.
He described AI as a technology advancing at “runaway speed.” He also warned that society is taking part in an experiment “without a plan and without consent.”
UN chief warns risks of autonomous AI, denounces ‘killer robots’
Guterres said AI already plays a major role in modern society. He compared its potential impact with the arrival of electricity and the Internet.
However, he highlighted an important difference.
AI systems can now perform increasingly complex tasks with less human oversight. Some systems can write code, operate online and make decisions.
“Our institutions were built to govern machines that follow commands. They are not ready for machines that decide,” Guterres said.
He also warned about the use of AI in warfare.
The UN chief focused on lethal autonomous weapon systems. He referred to them as “killer robots” and called for international law to ban them.
“Machines selecting and engaging their target and taking a life – without human control and judgement.”
Guterres said some decisions must remain under human control. He stressed that no decision matters more than the decision to take a human life.
MORE FOR YOU: Vietnam achieves upper-middle income status: World Bank
