UN Chief Calls for Global Cooperation, Warns Against ‘Race to the Bottom’ on AI Safety
UNITED NATIONS — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger international cooperation to address the growing risks associated with artificial intelligence, warning that intense competition among countries and technology companies should not come at the expense of safety.
Guterres said the rapid development of increasingly powerful AI systems has raised concerns that technological progress may be moving faster than the ability of governments, researchers and society to fully understand and manage the potential risks. He stressed that such concerns should be taken seriously as AI becomes more deeply integrated into economies and everyday life.
According to Guterres, governments have a primary responsibility to protect people from potential harm associated with artificial intelligence. While national regulations and safeguards are essential, he said international coordination is equally important because AI technologies and their impacts extend across national borders.
He called for common safeguards that would help ensure artificial intelligence is developed and used in ways that are safe, transparent and accountable, with human dignity remaining at the center of technological development.
His comments come amid a growing debate within the technology industry over whether development of the most advanced AI systems should be slowed to give safety measures, scientific research and regulatory frameworks more time to catch up. Some technology leaders have supported greater coordination among companies and governments, while others have argued that individual companies should remain responsible for ensuring the safety of their own systems.
Efforts to establish common international rules could face significant challenges. Technology companies are competing for commercial and technological leadership, while governments increasingly view artificial intelligence as important to economic growth, scientific advancement and national security. Geopolitical competition could make agreement on common standards more difficult.
Guterres has also emphasized the enormous potential benefits of artificial intelligence. AI could contribute to economic development, expand access to education, strengthen health systems, support scientific research and help societies address complex global challenges. At the same time, he has repeatedly warned that increasingly powerful AI systems could create serious risks if they develop without adequate safeguards and human oversight.
Artificial intelligence is expected to be an important subject during discussions with world leaders gathering for the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly. Guterres said the international community needs a shared understanding of how to advance AI development safely and responsibly while determining when more powerful systems may require stronger safeguards or additional measures to manage emerging risks.
The United Nations has already taken steps toward developing a more coordinated international approach to AI. In 2025, the U.N. General Assembly established a global scientific body focused on artificial intelligence. The panel has examined potential risks associated with the rapid expansion of AI, including possible effects on mental health, social and economic systems, the environment, misuse of advanced technology and challenges related to maintaining effective human control.
Guterres acknowledged that geopolitical divisions could complicate efforts to establish international standards. However, he said countries with the greatest capabilities in advanced AI should maintain communication, exchange information and seek agreement on basic safeguards.
He warned that without cooperation, intense competition could encourage governments or companies to weaken safety standards in pursuit of technological advantages, creating what he described as a “race to the bottom” that could eventually have serious global consequences.
Guterres also expressed support for holding a major international summit on artificial intelligence in the future. He said such a meeting would require careful preparation and broad participation rather than being organized hastily.
A future AI summit, he suggested, should bring together governments, technology companies, scientists, researchers and civil society. The broader objective would be to establish international cooperation that allows societies to benefit from artificial intelligence while ensuring that safety measures and oversight keep pace with the technology’s rapidly expanding capabilities.
