United Nations calls for “urgent action” to address “unprecedented risks” of artificial intelligence

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for an “urgent action” to curb “leading” (i.e., highly advanced) artificial intelligence technologies, warning that this technology poses “unprecedented risks.” In a statement, Türk said, “We are on the brink of an irreversible change whose impact will not be limited to us alone, but will extend to future generations of humanity,” emphasizing the need for “urgent action commensurate with the unprecedented risks posed by leading AI.” He added, “I urge states and companies to take urgent action, within multilateral forums, to chart a course of action aimed at establishing regulatory frameworks for advanced AI models,” warning that “all human rights are threatened” by this technology, including the rights to life, food, privacy, health, and security.

Türk expressed regret “that we currently rely almost entirely on a few powerful companies to make the right decisions regarding the development of AI for the benefit of all humanity.” US tech leaders themselves have called for slowing the pace of progress in this field. Last Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei expressed his support for slowing the pace, to allow for a better understanding of the risks arising from AI’s new capabilities. He received public support from his counterpart at OpenAI, Sam Altman, as well as from Elon Musk.

According to the High Commissioner, “the current race toward more powerful AI represents a fundamental shift, exposing every aspect of our lives to growing existential risks.” Volker Türk warned that “any malfunction in autonomous AI systems (Agentic AI),” i.e., interfaces capable of executing tasks independently, “could lead to paralysis of essential services, communication disruptions, destabilization of critical infrastructure, and damage to the very core of democratic institutions.” He cautioned that “entire populations could find themselves deprived of drinking water, heating, and financial services, as autonomous AI systems are already accelerating the pace and scope of armed conflicts, while simultaneously undermining safeguards that prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction.”