AI: Türk urges action before it becomes an ‘existential risk to humanity’
UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged immediate global action to regulate AI before it poses an existential threat, warning of unchecked power and autonomous weapons risks.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that artificial intelligence could become an "existential risk to humanity" if left without binding controls, independent oversight, and clear limits. He cautioned that AI systems may eventually surpass human control, citing scenarios where systems could escape testing environments or manipulate developers to avoid deactivation. Türk called for "cast iron guarantees" on AI safety and security, emphasizing the need for urgent, collective action before irreversible consequences arise.
Türk highlighted the concentration of AI power among a small group, raising concerns about unchecked technological dominance and vast data processing capabilities. He stressed that AI must serve humanity rather than control it, particularly in areas like employment, democracy, and environmental protection, with human rights as the guiding framework. The High Commissioner also condemned the use of AI in warfare, including fully autonomous weapons, and reiterated calls to prohibit systems capable of lethal decisions without human intervention.
The High Commissioner condemned the deployment of fully autonomous drones in Ukraine, reportedly used by both sides, which killed three civilians last month. He described reports of such weapons as "horrifying" and reiterated demands for an immediate ban on autonomous systems that can take lives without human oversight. Türk also warned of the broader global security risks, noting over 60 active conflicts worldwide—the highest since World War II—and the erosion of international law.
Türk condemned Israeli strikes in Gaza, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and plans for forced displacement of Palestinians, alongside dehumanizing rhetoric from some Israeli officials. He also criticized executions and torture by Hamas-affiliated groups and called for action against annexation, settlement expansion, and arms transfers in the occupied West Bank. The High Commissioner urged the international community to intensify efforts for a lasting peace ensuring equal rights and dignity for both Palestine and Israel.