United Nations Chief speaks at AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, calls out global tech rivalry

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, urging countries to adopt science-driven governance frameworks for artificial intelligence. Warning that AI innovation is advancing faster than global regulatory systems can keep pace, he emphasized that no country can manage its implications alone. AI, he said, does not respect borders and requires coordinated international cooperation grounded in facts, not hype or fear. To address this challenge, the United Nations is launching an independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The panel, confirmed by the UN General Assembly and composed of 40 multidisciplinary experts, will assess AI’s economic and societal impacts and provide evidence-based recommendations. Its first report is expected ahead of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July. Guterres stressed that science-led governance is not a barrier to innovation but an accelerator for safer and fairer progress. He called for risk-based guardrails, human oversight in high-stakes sectors like healthcare and justice, and clear accountability mechanisms. Concluding his remarks, he urged nations to align technical standards and transform AI into a reliable engine for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.