Guterres: uncontrolled AI is an “unacceptable experiment” on humanity
Humanity has never faced a choice that would so radically alter its own nature. Artificial intelligence is penetrating governance systems, education, medicine, judicial decisions and even the intimate sphere of human relationships — and all of this is happening without a clear plan, without public debate, and without any international consensus.
UN Secretary General António Guterres called the current situation an “experiment without consent” and warned that further inaction could lead not just to technological lag but to a fundamental loss of human control over our own future. His speech in Geneva was not merely another address but an alarm bell to leaders of all nations: the time for illusions is over; the hour of responsible decisions has come.
On Monday, at the opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, UN Secretary General António Guterres said that AI is advancing at a “maddening speed” and the world faces a choice: govern the technology at the design stage or allow it to evolve by default. He expressed hope that the dialogue would serve as a platform to translate global interaction into concrete actions that make AI “safer, fairer, more accessible and more ethical”.
Guterres stressed that AI is being deployed faster than anyone — including its creators — can keep up. “An experiment is being conducted on our own societies — without a plan and without consent. This is unsustainable. And this is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the technology is already reshaping economies, labour markets, elections and security.
The UN chief outlined four priorities in AI governance: ensuring safety, protecting human rights, building capacity and enhancing transparency. He called for more prudent global governance, likening the situation to how we would not allow untested medicine to be given to children. “In every important decision — in justice, healthcare, policing — machines may inform, but humans must decide and be accountable,” Guterres stated.
The dialogue includes high level plenary sessions, thematic discussions and side events. During the meeting, the UN’s Independent International Scientific Group on AI will present a preliminary report assessing the opportunities, risks and implications of the technology, providing reference material for further debates. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance was established under the UN General Assembly’s mandate as part of the Global Digital Compact. Its aim is to provide a platform for governments and stakeholders to ensure that the priorities of all countries are taken into account in AI governance and to achieve inclusive sharing of the benefits of AI development.
Guterres paid particular attention to the issue of access to AI for developing countries. He noted that the existing digital divide threatens to become an AI divide, which would only deepen global inequality. That is why capacity building — training specialists, creating infrastructure and transferring knowledge — is included among the priorities. The UN chief also stressed that AI governance cannot be a monopoly of a few tech powers or corporations — it requires the participation of all states, civil society and the scientific community.
As CCTV+ reports. The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to underpin future international agreements on the ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence, and to serve as a foundation for updating international law in the digital sphere.
