"UN Secretary General Urges Creation of New AI Agency to Address Catastrophic Risks"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the creation of a new international body to govern the use of artificial intelligence (AI) due to the potential risks and benefits it presents. Guterres emphasized the need for globally agreed-upon rules to monitor and regulate AI, citing the UN's role in coordinating international responses to various challenges. He warned of the malicious use of AI for terrorist, criminal, or state purposes, which could result in catastrophic consequences. Guterres proposed a legally binding agreement banning the use of AI in fully automated weapons by 2026 and pledged to establish an advisory council for broader AI regulation proposals. The meeting also discussed the importance of AI governance being tied to principles of freedom, democracy, human rights, and security. The Chinese government called for UN rules to reflect the views of developing countries, while the US emphasized the need to prevent the use of AI for censorship or repression.