UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged for common rules for advanced AI systems, emphasizing the need to protect children from the risks posed by chatbots, ban lethal autonomous weapon systems, and expand access to computing resources for developing countries.
I am here at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance – and my message is clear: the future of AI must be shaped by human oversight and effective governance.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 6, 2026
Together, let’s ensure that AI is developed safely, fairly, and benefiting all humanity. pic.twitter.com/7T0rP76CSC
“AI is evolving at an uncontrollable pace,” Guterres stated.
The UN chief described the current situation as “an experiment on societies without a plan or consent.” He identified three key risks: the rapid spread of artificial intelligence, the concentration of computing power and data in the hands of a few companies and countries, and the degradation of the information environment.
According to him, it took the internet 15 years to reach 1 billion users, while AI achieved this in just two years. A preliminary report from the UN scientific panel noted that ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just two months.
Modern systems, Guterres added, no longer just wait for commands: they write code, operate online, and make decisions with decreasing human oversight.
“Our institutions were created to manage machines that follow commands. They are not prepared for machines that make decisions,” he said.
“We Cannot Vibe-Code Humanity’s Future”
Guterres used the term “vibe-coding” as a metaphor for passive AI management: allowing systems to operate without understanding their mechanisms and consequences.
“Vibe-coding can work wonders. But we cannot vibe-code the truth. We cannot vibe-code humanity’s future,” he stated.
According to the Secretary-General, countries face a choice not between believing in AI and fearing it, but between conscious governance and passive drift.
UN Proposes AI Rules for Children
One of Guterres's main priorities is child protection, urging companies to commit to the safety of AI systems accessible to minors (AI Child Safety Pledge). He noted that technology has already infiltrated children's education, friendships, and personal matters before society has assessed its consequences.
“No child should be a guinea pig for unregulated AI,” Guterres said.
The proposal includes three principles:
- Do not launch AI systems accessible to children without specific testing and independent oversight.
- Zero tolerance for the generation of sexualized images of minors: companies must identify, remove, and report such materials.
- Do not leave a child in crisis alone with a chatbot. If the system detects signs of severe distress, it should stop and connect to real human support.
Guterres also emphasized that in areas like justice, healthcare, and policing, machines can assist, but the decision-making and accountability must remain with humans.
Ban “Killer Robots”
A separate section of his address focused on the military application of AI. The Secretary-General stated that civilian regulation cannot be completely separated from security, as the same models and chips are already used on the battlefield.
He called for a ban under international law on lethal autonomous weapon systems—machines that can select and engage targets without human control and judgment.
“Let’s call them what they are: killer robots,” Guterres explained.
He described such systems as “morally repugnant” and “politically unacceptable.” He added that states are already discussing this issue but should not wait for a tragedy to take action.
Fund for AI in Developing Countries Proposed
Guterres also stated that the digital divide should not turn into an AI divide, leading to gaps in development, security, and sovereignty. He noted that over 20 countries have already nominated centers for a UN-supported global network for AI knowledge sharing and cooperation. This network aims to facilitate knowledge transfer, foster cooperation, and expand access to skills, especially for developing nations.
The Secretary-General announced recommendations for establishing a global fund for AI. As noted by the UN, one discussion topic is bridging the gap in the field, including access to high-performance computing, open data, software, and models.
Another focus for Guterres is transparency. He reported that data centers already consume more electricity than most countries and could surpass the energy consumption of all nations except five by 2030.
“If AI is to be powerful, it must be governed. If AI is to inspire trust, those who create it must be held accountable,” Guterres stated.
It is worth noting that from July 15, temporary measures regulating AI-based services that mimic human identity and support sustainable emotional interaction will come into effect in China. In light of the new regulations, ByteDance and Alibaba have begun disabling features of user AI agents in Doubao and Qwen.