As world leaders gather for the annual United Nations General Assembly, growing concerns over artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons have moved to the top of the international agenda. Former statesmen and global diplomats warn that rapidly advancing technology, particularly uncrewed military drones, could pose severe security risks unless governments establish shared rules and governance.
Former Colombian President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos, who chairs the global leadership group The Elders, highlighted the immediate dangers of automated warfare. In Latin America and Africa, organized crime groups are already deploying sophisticated drone technology, often outpacing government capabilities. To illustrate these risks at a UN side event, Santos arranged a demonstration showing how an autonomous drone can target an individual based on facial recognition.
Addressing the assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to set up global guardrails, stating that the world cannot afford a "race to the bottom" on AI safety. However, reaching an agreement among major global powers remains difficult. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism regarding calls to slow down AI development, while Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to skip the assembly in New York to meet President Trump in Washington later in the week.
Despite geopolitical divides, pressure for international oversight continues to build. Although experts from the International Crisis Group consider the creation of a new dedicated UN agency unlikely in the near term, bodies like the UN Security Council are opening formal discussions on AI safety. Former leaders stress that rescuing principles of international cooperation will be critical to managing AI risks before the technology outpaces global control.