UN warns against exploitation of artificial intelligence to spread hate speech
New York, 17 Sep (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guteris warned on Thursday of the growing prevalence of hate speech and the exploitation of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to expand its reach. He emphasized that its most dangerous forms incite violence, fuel conflicts, and contribute to the commission of heinous crimes.
Guteris made these remarks in a speech delivered at the Global Conference on Promoting Dialogue among Religions and Cultures and Tolerance in the Face of Hate Speech, held at the United Nations headquarters. The conference was attended by representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, religious leaders, academics, and civil society.
Guteris stated that hate, in its various forms—including racism, misogyny, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and discrimination against minorities—“finds new pathways and exploits modern technologies as a weapon,” ranging from digital platforms and algorithms to artificial intelligence.
He added that hate speech incites atrocities, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. He called for intensified efforts to combat it both online and offline, address its root causes, and promote dialogue among nations, cultures, and religions.
Guteris noted that tolerance and peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness are firmly enshrined in the UN Charter. He cited the United Nations’ continued efforts over eight decades to fulfill this commitment and build more cohesive and peaceful societies.
For his part, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita explained that countering hate speech and promoting tolerance among religions and cultures requires sustained action and policies based on fairness, participation, and equal opportunities. He stressed that safeguarding human dignity is the foundation of security and stability.
Bourita said that his country’s initiative to host the conference embodies the spirit of the message delivered by King Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, to participants in the ninth session of the Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Fez in 2022. That message underscored the importance of addressing peace in all languages and expressions.
He affirmed the necessity of turning tolerance into a daily practice everywhere, including in the digital space, emphasizing that combating hate requires “courage in discourse, justice in policies, and sustained action” to address the causes of marginalization and restore trust between individuals, their societies, and their institutions.
In turn, the President of the UN General Assembly, Khalil Al-Rahman, called for strengthening global efforts to counter extremism and hate speech. He warned of the rapid spread of hate-based narratives, particularly through digital technologies and artificial intelligence, which can be used to amplify disinformation.
He affirmed that dialogue and tolerance are “not merely abstract concepts but practical tools for prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.” He called for investing in education, media and information literacy, empowering youth, and enhancing cooperation among governments, technology companies, media outlets, civil society, and religious organizations.
The conference was organized by the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and the Kingdom of Morocco. It brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, religious communities, academics, and civil society.
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