SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged for expanded international oversight of artificial intelligence during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. He emphasized that the technology shaping humanity’s future must incorporate the interests of all nations, rather than being driven solely by a select few governments and corporations. Guterres highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionize sectors such as medicine, education, food systems, and employment. However, he also cautioned that insufficient international collaboration could exacerbate disparities in income, opportunities, security, and access to vital services.
The secretary-general pointed out that one-third of the world’s population remains offline while computing resources, specialized expertise, and investments are concentrated in a limited number of markets. He stressed the importance of providing developing countries with affordable computing technology, reliable data, local language support, technical training, and robust digital infrastructure. These resources are essential for governments and researchers to develop systems tailored to their national needs and public services. Over 20 countries, including China, have proposed centers for a UN-supported network aimed at enhancing AI capacity across different regions and income levels.
Guterres announced plans to soon unveil recommendations for a Global Fund for AI and called on governments to back this initiative. He outlined three key priorities: increasing capabilities in developing nations, establishing universal safety standards, and reducing environmental impacts. The UN Secretary-General emphasized the importance of shared testing and risk management protocols rooted in international law and human rights protections. He insisted that individuals must maintain authority over critical decisions, whether in security, health, or public safety, regardless of where AI is implemented.
Global Standards and Child Safety Measures
Child safety was another crucial focus of Guterres’s speech. He specifically addressed AI systems used by or around children, asserting that no AI product should be deployed in contexts involving children until developers can demonstrate its safety. His comments emphasized the responsibility of governments and technology companies to implement safeguards before their products are introduced into schools, homes, or public services. He also linked effective AI governance to equitable participation, stressing that every nation must have a voice when developing international rules.
The environmental footprint of AI also featured prominently in the Shanghai address. Guterres urged major AI firms to disclose the energy consumption, water usage, and emissions associated with their operations. He called for these companies to transition to renewable energy sources by 2030 and to enhance efficiency in data centers. Governments are encouraged to incorporate clean energy initiatives for AI infrastructure within their national energy and climate strategies. These actions would align digital advancements with existing environmental commitments.
Building Capacity and Promoting Eco-Friendly AI
The proposals are part of the United Nations’s efforts to strengthen its role in global AI governance. Member states established a Global Dialogue on AI Governance to facilitate transparent discussions among governments, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society. The UN has also advanced initiatives for scientific cooperation and capacity-building, especially for nations with limited technical expertise. Guterres underscored that governance frameworks must evolve in tandem with rapid technological progress while safeguarding human oversight, international law, and public accountability. He stressed that technology should serve humanity, not the other way around.
During the conference, Guterres framed access, safety, and sustainability as interconnected elements of a shared global challenge. He expressed confidence that AI could help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by improving health, education, agriculture, and public services. The ultimate measure of success, he said, is whether the technology diminishes inequality or worsens existing divides. He called on governments and corporations to collaborate on establishing rules, making investments, and building infrastructure to ensure that AI benefits people across all regions.