SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for comprehensive international oversight of artificial intelligence during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. He highlighted that the development of technology shaping humanity’s future must include all nations, rather than a select few governments and corporations. Guterres pointed out that AI presents significant opportunities in medicine, education, food security, and employment, but warned that insufficient international collaboration could exacerbate disparities in income, access, security, and essential services.
The secretary-general noted that one-third of the global population remains offline while the distribution of computing power, expertise, and investment remains limited to certain markets. He stressed that developing countries require affordable computing resources, trustworthy data, support for local languages, technical training, and robust digital infrastructure. These resources are vital for governments and researchers to develop systems tailored to their national needs and public services. Over 20 nations, including China, have appointed centers to a UN-supported network aimed at enhancing AI capacity across different regions and income levels.
Guterres announced plans to soon introduce recommendations for a Global Fund for AI and called on governments to back this initiative. He outlined three main priorities: increasing capacity in developing nations, establishing common safety standards, and reducing environmental impacts. The UN leader emphasized the importance of unified testing protocols and risk management frameworks rooted in international law and human rights, ensuring that humans maintain control over critical decisions in security, health, and public safety regardless of where AI systems are deployed.
Global Standards and Child Safety
Child safety was another key focus of Guterres’ speech. He stressed that no AI system should be accessible to children before developers can demonstrate its safety. His remarks placed the responsibility on governments and technology companies to implement safeguards before products are introduced into schools, homes, or public services. He also linked effective AI governance to equitable participation, asserting that every nation must have a voice when establishing international rules.
The environmental footprint of AI was also a major topic in the Shanghai address. Guterres called on leading AI corporations to disclose the energy, water, and emissions associated with their systems. He urged them to transition to renewable energy sources by 2030 and enhance efficiency across data centers. He also recommended that governments include clean energy solutions for AI infrastructure within their national energy and climate strategies, aligning digital advancements with ongoing environmental commitments.
Building Capacity and Promoting Sustainable AI
The proposals come at a time when the United Nations is expanding its involvement in international AI governance. Member states established a Global Dialogue on AI Governance to facilitate open discussions among governments, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society. The UN has also promoted scientific collaboration and capacity building to support nations with limited technical resources. Guterres stressed that governance frameworks must keep pace with rapid technological progress while safeguarding human oversight, adherence to international law, and public accountability. He emphasized 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 highlighted that AI can advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals through improved health, education, agriculture, and public services. The key question, he said, is whether the technology diminishes inequality or entrenches existing disparities. He called on governments and corporations to collaborate on establishing rules, investments, and infrastructure to ensure AI benefits people across all regions.