Guterres: AI must be shaped by 'all of humanity', not a handful of powers

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Friday for international cooperation on artificial intelligence governance, warning that without it the technology could deepen global inequality. Speaking at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Guterres said AI "must be shaped by all of humanity," not a handful of countries or companies, and stressed that developing nations need stronger voices in shaping the technology's future. He outlined three priorities: expanding AI capacity in developing countries, establishing international safety standards, and ensuring environmental sustainability, while emphasizing that human rights protections and human control over life-and-death decisions are essential.

Guterres highlighted that one-third of humanity remains offline while computing power, technical expertise and investment are concentrated in a small number of countries and companies. He announced that over 20 countries, including China, have nominated centers for a UN-supported Global Network for AI Capacity Building and said he will soon present recommendations for a Global Fund for AI. The UN has recently adopted a Global Digital Compact and established an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI to help countries share expertise and promote common standards.