New york: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need for stronger safeguards in the development of artificial intelligence, warning that the world "cannot afford a race to the bottom" on AI safety. His remarks come ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where AI safety is expected to be a significant topic of discussion among global leaders.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guterres addressed rising concerns regarding the swift advancements in artificial intelligence, highlighting its vast potential to contribute to sustainable development, improve education, strengthen health systems, and enhance climate resilience. However, he cautioned that the development of AI is outpacing the understanding of its associated risks, with many developers raising alarms about potential dangers.

Guterres acknowledged existing geopolitical divides and the temptations they may create, asserting that a global race to the bottom on AI safety is untenable. He called for the establishment of robust guardrails to build trust in AI technology, ensuring it remains safe, transparent, and accountable, with human dignity at its core.

The Secretary-General noted that AI will be a central topic in his upcoming discussions with world leaders. He reaffirmed the UN's commitment to exploring practical ideas and approaches to address AI safety concerns in the near future.

In response to inquiries about the possibility of an AI summit during the UN General Assembly's high-level week, Guterres expressed that while a serious international summit on AI makes sense, organizing it next week would be premature. He emphasized that such an important summit would require thorough preparation and should not be overshadowed by competing initiatives, underscoring the need to address AI as an independent and critical issue.