Secretary-General’s video message to the launch of the final report of the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence: “Governing AI for Humanity”

Dear Friends,

Last year, as generative AI became more widespread, I established a high-level advisory body to examine how the benefits of this extraordinary technology could be shared while addressing the challenges.

The immediate and long-term risks posed by AI, including for human rights, are already clear. Moreover, there are serious concerns about the concentration of power in AI in the hands of a few countries and companies.

The advisory body, the first of its kind in the field of AI, is a geographically diverse, gender-balanced group that brings together experts from government, the private sector, civil society, and academia.

It raises a pressing question: How can AI be governed for humanity—especially for those who are often underrepresented and ignored?

The advisory body worked with impressive speed and accomplished its complex task with great effectiveness.

When they shared their final report, I applauded their wide-ranging recommendations, which included:

An International Scientific Panel on AI – to promote a common understanding of AI’s capabilities, opportunities, and risks;

A Global Dialogue on AI Governance at the United Nations – to embed AI governance into international norms and principles, including human rights;

A Global Fund for AI for the SDGs – to bridge the AI divide;

An AI Capacity Development Network – to increase AI capabilities and expertise, especially in developing countries;

An Exchange of Standards – to promote technical compatibility;

A Global Data Framework – to enable local AI ecosystems to flourish, and

A small UN Office on AI – to assist all of these initiatives.

I fully support these recommendations, which provide a blueprint for building on existing efforts to jointly shape an inclusive, flexible, and effective international AI architecture – now and in the future.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to every member of the Advisory Board for their dedication and hard work.

I urge all stakeholders to give full consideration to these recommendations.

I call on Member States to seize this moment and act boldly – starting with this week’s Summit on the Future.

This report is not the end of our journey, but an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure that AI serves all of humanity.