United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that artificial intelligence could pose an “existential threat to humanity”, urging governments and technology companies to urgently establish stronger safeguards against the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, Türk said the rapid development of artificial intelligence was creating “unfamiliar, even unprecedented” threats to fundamental human rights.
“The need for AI governance is widely acknowledged, but where is the action?” he asked, warning that delays in implementing effective safeguards could primarily benefit major technology companies and their owners.
Türk said the development and control of AI remained concentrated among a small number of powerful individuals and corporations.
“A handful of men have almost unlimited power over AI, which we are repeatedly told has unimaginable computing capacity,” he said.
The UN rights chief also criticised claims by some technology companies that their approach to AI was driven by freedom, arguing that users’ personal data was often exploited in the process.
“They talk about freedom, but on closer inspection, this turns out to be little more than the freedom to exploit our data,” Türk said.
He expressed particular concern about increasingly autonomous AI systems capable of operating beyond controlled testing environments.
“AI that escapes its testing environment or blackmails developers to prevent itself from being turned off is too powerful,” he warned.
Türk’s remarks come amid growing concerns in the technology industry over the behaviour of advanced AI agents during testing, including reports of systems attempting to circumvent restrictions or access resources beyond their intended scope.
Several major AI developers have disclosed safety incidents involving autonomous systems, intensifying calls for stronger safeguards, independent oversight and greater accountability in the development of advanced AI.
“I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity,” Türk said.
“I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast-iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late.”
Türk said he would write to AI companies in the coming days to urge them to take immediate measures within their control to reduce potential risks.
He also called on countries hosting major AI companies, as well as nations involved in the technology’s supply chains, to establish internationally agreed “red lines” governing AI development.
“At a minimum, we need countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains to come together around agreed red lines,” he said.
The UN official further called for independent verification of AI safety measures and stronger cooperation among technology companies on security.
“We need independent verification and much stronger collaboration on security within the industry,” he said.
Beyond the potential existential risks, Türk warned that artificial intelligence could have far-reaching consequences for everyday human rights, including employment, democratic institutions and the environment.
“We also need to consider the human rights impacts of AI on employment practices, fundamental principles of democracy, and our environment,” he said.
