SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for broader international involvement in AI governance during a major conference held in Shanghai. He highlighted that AI should benefit populations worldwide, not just governments and corporations with the deepest resources. Guterres pointed out its increasing influence in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and employment. He also cautioned that unequal access could exacerbate existing disparities among nations and communities.
The UN leader noted that billions of individuals still lack dependable internet, adequate computing power, and advanced technical expertise. He called for increased investments in digital infrastructure, trustworthy data, tools for local languages, and professional development. Such investments would enable developing nations to develop AI solutions that bolster public services and support national goals. Over 20 countries, including China, have designated centers for a UN-backed network aimed at building AI capacity.
Guterres announced plans to propose a Global Fund for AI to assist resource-limited countries. He outlined three key areas for international collaboration: enhancing capacity, establishing common safety standards, and reducing environmental impacts. He stressed the importance of compatible testing procedures and shared risk assessments grounded in human rights and international law. Furthermore, he emphasized that control over decisions involving life and death must remain with humans.
Unified safety measures for AI systems
The secretary-general highlighted the importance of safeguarding children from potentially harmful AI tools. He stated that developers should demonstrate a system’s safety before it reaches children. Governments and tech companies should implement protections prior to products being used in classrooms, homes, or public services. He also underlined that every nation should contribute to shaping international regulations governing AI development and deployment.
AI’s environmental footprint is also growing, driven by data centers, energy consumption, and water use. Guterres urged leading technology firms to disclose the energy, emissions, and water impacts of their AI systems. He called for these companies to transition to renewable energy sources by 2030 and enhance data center efficiency. He also recommended that governments incorporate clean energy requirements for AI infrastructure into national climate and energy strategies.
Ensuring global access and responsible oversight
United Nations has expanded its efforts in AI governance through international dialogue and capacity-building initiatives. Member nations have created a Global Dialogue on AI Governance to bring together governments, researchers, industry representatives, and civil society. This platform fosters discussions on safety, equitable access, human oversight, and responsible innovation. Guterres stressed that global standards must evolve in tandem with technological progress while safeguarding rights and ensuring accountability.
During the Shanghai event, Guterres linked the issues of access, safety, and sustainability as interconnected elements of a worldwide policy challenge. He pointed out that AI can advance healthcare, education, food security, and essential public services. However, its advantages depend on fair access to infrastructure, skills, and decision-making platforms. He called on governments and corporations to collaborate on establishing standards, increasing investments, and adopting clean energy solutions to ensure AI benefits all regions and populations.