The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for globally coordinated rules to govern artificial intelligence, warning that the fast-advancing technology is exposing children to unprecedented risks ranging from manipulation to online exploitation.
Speaking at the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres noted that AI is reshaping economies, labour markets, elections and global security at a pace that is outstripping oversight. He argued that innovation must be matched by effective safeguards to ensure the technology benefits society without causing widespread harm.
The core of his proposals is an AI Child Safety Pledge that would require technology companies to demonstrate that AI systems accessible to children are safe before they are released. Under the framework, developers would also be expected to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to child sexual abuse content and ensure AI systems can connect vulnerable children showing signs of distress with real human support.
Guterres said governments have long required medicines and children’s toys to undergo rigorous safety testing before reaching the public, arguing that AI should be held to a similar standard given its growing influence over children’s education, friendships and access to information. He warned that no child should become “a guinea pig” for unregulated artificial intelligence.
Beyond child safety, the UN chief raised concerns over the concentration of AI capabilities in a handful of countries and technology companies, warning that the imbalance risks deepening the global digital divide. He noted that many developing nations have little influence over decisions that will shape the future of artificial intelligence despite being affected by its consequences.
To address that imbalance, Guterres proposed the creation of a Global Fund for AI to help developing countries build computing capacity, improve technical skills and expand access to data infrastructure. He said broader participation would ensure AI becomes a tool for inclusive development rather than a driver of inequality.
The UN chief also renewed calls for greater transparency around AI’s environmental footprint, urging companies to disclose the energy demands of their systems and commit to powering data centres with renewable energy by 2030. He further reiterated his demand for an international ban on lethal autonomous weapons, describing machines capable of selecting and killing targets without human judgement as morally unacceptable.
The Geneva meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for international principles on AI governance rather than legally binding regulations. A more comprehensive report and further discussions are scheduled for next year as governments seek to establish common standards for managing one of the world’s fastest-evolving technologies.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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