SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for comprehensive international oversight of artificial intelligence during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in Shanghai. He stressed that the development of technology shaping humanity’s future must include all nations, not just a select few governments and corporations. Guterres highlighted AI’s significant potential benefits in medicine, education, food security, and employment. At the same time, he cautioned that inadequate international collaboration could exacerbate disparities in income, opportunities, security, and access to vital services.
The secretary-general pointed out that one-third of the global population remains without internet access, while computing resources, expertise, and investments remain concentrated in limited markets. He called for developing countries to gain access to affordable computing power, trustworthy data, local language support, technical training, and dependable digital infrastructure. These resources would enable governments and researchers to create systems tailored to their specific needs and public service requirements. More than 20 nations, including China, have put forward nominations for centers within a UN-supported network dedicated to enhancing AI capabilities across different regions and income levels.
Guterres announced plans to soon present proposals for a Global Fund for AI and urged nations to endorse the initiative. He outlined three key priorities: increasing AI capacity in developing countries, establishing shared safety standards, and reducing environmental impacts. The UN leader emphasized the importance of unified testing and risk management protocols based on international law and human rights. He stated that individuals must maintain control over critical decisions involving security, health, or public safety, regardless of where AI applications are deployed.
International Standards and Child Protection
Child safety was another vital focus of Guterres’ speech. He stressed that no AI system should be accessible to children until developers can demonstrate its safety. His comments underscored the responsibility of governments and technology companies to implement safeguards before products are introduced into schools, homes, or public institutions. He also linked effective AI governance to equitable participation, emphasizing the need for every country to have a voice when formulating international regulations.
The environmental footprint of AI was prominently addressed in Guterres’ remarks. He urged leading AI firms to disclose the energy consumption, water usage, and emissions associated with their systems. He called for these companies to transition to renewable energy sources by 2030 and to enhance efficiency in data centers. Governments should incorporate clean energy solutions for AI infrastructure into their national energy and climate strategies, he added. These steps would align digital innovation with existing environmental commitments.
Building Capacity and Promoting Sustainable AI
These proposals come amid the United Nations expanding its involvement in global AI governance. Member states established a Global Dialogue on AI Governance to facilitate open discussions among governments, industry stakeholders, researchers, and civil society. The UN has also been promoting international scientific cooperation and capacity development for countries with limited technological resources. Guterres emphasized that governance frameworks must keep pace with rapid technological advances while safeguarding human oversight, adherence to international law, and accountability to the public. He reaffirmed that technology should serve humankind, not control it.
During the conference, Guterres positioned access, safety, and sustainability as interconnected facets of a single worldwide challenge. He expressed optimism that AI could advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals by improving healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services. The ultimate test, he said, is whether AI can help reduce inequality or simply reinforce existing disparities. He called on governments and companies to collaborate on establishing rules, investing, and building infrastructure so that artificial intelligence benefits all people, regardless of region or income level.