AI has taken center stage in global discussions like never before. I recently came across insights from the latest United Nations high-level meetings in New York, where world leaders addressed AI‘s enormous potential to both help and harm humanity. The growing concern is clear: AI is no longer just a tech issue—it’s a matter of international peace, security, and ethical responsibility.
Why the UN is stepping up on AI governance
During a recent UN Security Council session, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed out that AI’s influence on peace and security is inevitable, but what really matters is how we shape its use responsibly. On the positive side, AI can anticipate crises like food insecurity, assist in de-mining efforts, and even detect early signs of violence outbreaks—potential game changers for prevention. Yet, without proper guardrails, AI risks being weaponized in ways that could escalate conflicts or spread misinformation.
Many world leaders, particularly from Europe, echoed this cautious optimism. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged the Council to rise to the AI challenge just as it once did with nuclear weapons—highlighting the need for governance that ensures militaries keep human oversight over AI-driven systems to avoid catastrophic mistakes. Meanwhile, Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy pointed to AI’s ability to provide ultra-accurate real-time data analysis and early warnings that could, if harnessed properly, foster peace rather than conflict.
A new UN-led global AI forum and expert panel
Last month, the UN General Assembly made a major move by agreeing to create two new bodies focused on AI governance—a Scientific Panel of Experts and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance forum. Forty experts will be appointed to the panel, which will provide annual reports to inform international dialogue, starting with the first forum scheduled in Geneva in 2026.
This is being hailed by some experts as a landmark step toward inclusive global AI oversight. It’s perhaps the most globally inclusive approach so far, bringing all 193 UN member states into the conversation about AI’s future. Previous efforts like summits held by Britain, France, and South Korea have failed to produce binding safety pledges, making this UN initiative a potentially transformative platform.
However, there’s a note of skepticism from researchers who question whether the famously slow-moving UN bureaucracy can keep pace with rapidly evolving AI technology. Despite this, the commitment to official UN backing gives hope that international standards and “minimum guardrails” could eventually emerge to address AI risks, from military misuse to ethical safeguards.
What this means for the future of AI and global security
I found it interesting when several Nobel laureates and AI leaders signed an open call urging the UN to take charge of creating binding treaties on AI safety. They highlighted the urgent need to manage AI’s most “unacceptable risks” internationally, pointing to the risks of unchecked AI militarization and misinformation disasters.
The UN’s new forum and panel won’t eliminate AI’s challenges overnight, but they represent a critical turning point—moving from scattered national policies and summits toward coordinated, inclusive governance. For a technology as powerful and fast-moving as AI, global collaboration is the only way to ensure it benefits everyone rather than becoming a new source of conflict or injustice.
AI’s influence on peace and security is inevitable, but how we shape its use responsibly is what truly matters.
As a takeaway, it’s clear that AI governance is no longer a niche topic for tech insiders but a global concern demanding collective wisdom and action. Watching how the UN’s new structures develop will be fascinating—could this finally be the platform to prevent the worst of AI’s harms?
- AI governance needs global collaboration to address risks that no one country can manage alone.
- Human oversight in military AI applications is non-negotiable to prevent escalations or accidents.
- The UN’s new expert panel and forum may set minimum international standards that influence future AI safety regulations.
For those of us fascinated by AI’s impact on the world, the unfolding story of UN-led governance efforts is one to watch closely. It’s a reminder that technology alone won’t determine our future—our collective choices and policies will.
