Archive · 7 Sep 2026
UN Rights Chief Warns Advanced AI Could Threaten Humanity
Volker Turk is the United Nations’ human rights chief.
He warned that very powerful artificial intelligence could one day seriously threaten people.
He said governments and technology companies should make AI safer before it becomes too difficult to manage.
Turk wants experts to independently check whether AI systems are safe.
He also wants countries connected to AI companies and supply chains to agree on clear limits.
He said AI could affect jobs, democracy, people’s rights and the environment.
Turk plans to write to AI companies and ask them to reduce risks they can control.
The United Nations has already started working with countries on shared AI rules.
Volker Turk warned that advanced AI could eventually pose an existential risk to humanity.
He urged governments and technology companies to establish strong safety and security guarantees before AI becomes harder to control.
Turk called for independent verification, stronger industry security cooperation and agreed international red lines.
He said AI could affect human rights, employment, democracy and the environment.
The United Nations has pursued harmonized AI governance, including its first global meeting on the issue in July.
- Who
- UN human rights chief Volker Turk, governments, technology companies and countries involved in AI supply chains.
- What
- Turk warned that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity and called for stronger safeguards, independent verification and agreed limits.
- When
- The warning was issued on Monday; Turk said he would write to AI companies in the coming days, and the United Nations held its first global AI governance meeting in July.
- Where
- Turk spoke before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
- Why
- He said safeguards are needed to reduce possible threats to humanity and human rights, including risks involving employment, democracy and the environment.
- Speaker
- UN human rights chief Volker Turk
- Location
- United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva
- Main warning
- Advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity
- Requested safeguards
- Strong safety and security guarantees, independent verification and greater industry cooperation
- International proposal
- Countries hosting AI companies and those involved in AI supply chains should agree on red lines
- Human rights concerns
- Employment practices, democracy and the environment
- UN governance effort
- The United Nations held its first global meeting on AI governance in July
