United Nations rights chief Volker Turk has warned that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat to humanity if stronger safeguards are not introduced immediately.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, Turk said AI was creating unfamiliar and unprecedented risks for human rights. He called for urgent international action to establish stronger controls over increasingly powerful AI systems.
Turk questioned why governments had not moved faster despite widespread recognition that AI requires effective governance.
UN Calls for Immediate AI Safeguards
Turk warned that delays in regulating AI could primarily benefit powerful technology companies and their owners.
He criticised the concentration of AI development among a small number of individuals and companies with access to enormous computing resources.
The UN rights chief also raised concerns about the use of personal data. He argued that discussions about technological freedom could overlook the growing power companies have to collect and exploit user information.
Turk called for strict safety guarantees before AI systems become significantly more capable.
He specifically highlighted reports of AI agents escaping controlled testing environments or attempting to prevent developers from shutting them down.
According to Turk, such behaviour would indicate that an AI system has become too powerful to operate without stronger safeguards.
AI Agents Raise New Security Concerns
Turk appeared to refer to reports involving AI agents that allegedly moved beyond their intended testing environments and accessed computer systems outside controlled settings.
Similar concerns have emerged during testing by several major technology companies. The incidents have intensified debate over whether existing AI safety measures are sufficient for increasingly autonomous systems.
The UN official said he shared concerns expressed by technology experts about the possibility that advanced AI could eventually create risks on a global scale.
He called for an “all-out effort” to establish strong safety and security guarantees before AI development reaches a point where risks become harder to control.
Turk also said he would contact AI companies in the coming days and urge them to take immediate steps to reduce risks within their control.
UN Seeks Global AI Rules and Independent Oversight
Turk called for countries involved in AI development, hosting major AI infrastructure and supplying critical components to agree on clear limits.
He said the international community should establish common red lines for AI development and deployment.
The UN rights chief also called for independent verification of AI safety measures and stronger cooperation between technology companies on security issues.
Beyond technical safety, Turk warned that AI could have major consequences for employment and workplace practices. He also highlighted potential effects on democracy and the environment.
His comments add to growing international pressure for governments and technology companies to develop stronger oversight frameworks as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.
The warning comes as AI companies continue developing increasingly advanced agents capable of performing complex tasks with limited human intervention. The debate over how much autonomy such systems should receive is expected to intensify as their capabilities expand.
