Geneva: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a strong warning over the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), saying the technology is advancing faster than governments, companies and even its creators can regulate. Speaking at the first-ever government-level UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres urged countries to establish global rules for AI, with child safety at the heart of future regulations.
The UN chief said AI is transforming everyday life at an unprecedented pace, influencing education, healthcare, employment, elections and national security. While recognising the enormous benefits of the technology, he cautioned that inadequate safeguards could expose millions of children and vulnerable users to serious risks.
AI developing faster than regulations
Addressing delegates from governments, international organisations and technology experts, Guterres said AI is evolving much faster than the world’s ability to manage it responsibly.
He warned that artificial intelligence is already reshaping economies, changing the nature of work and influencing democratic processes across countries. According to him, policymakers and technology developers are struggling to keep pace with innovations that are being deployed almost immediately after development.
Guterres stressed that innovation cannot be allowed to progress without proper oversight. He said AI has the potential to deliver enormous benefits, but only if governments establish clear regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability and public safety.
He described global cooperation as essential to prevent fragmented AI regulations and to create common standards that protect people across borders.
Child safety should be a global priority
A significant portion of Guterres’ address focused on the growing impact of AI on children.
He pointed out that millions of children now use AI tools for school assignments, personal advice, entertainment and even emotional support. However, unlike medicines or children’s toys, AI systems are reaching young users without undergoing comprehensive safety testing.
Drawing a comparison with existing safety standards, Guterres said medicines cannot be administered to children until they are proven safe, and toys undergo strict testing before entering the market. He argued that AI should be held to similar standards before being made widely accessible to children.
The Secretary-General expressed concern that children are interacting with AI during critical stages of emotional and cognitive development without sufficient understanding of the long-term effects.
Proposal for an AI Child Safety Pledge
To strengthen protections for minors, Guterres proposed an AI Child Safety Pledge that would require technology companies to demonstrate that their AI systems are safe before allowing children to use them.
He also suggested several safeguards that AI developers should adopt.
According to the proposal, AI systems should never generate sexually explicit images involving children under any circumstances. In addition, if an AI system detects that a child may be experiencing emotional distress or discussing self-harm, it should immediately stop engaging independently and instead connect the child with an appropriate human support service.
The proposal aims to ensure that AI tools act responsibly when interacting with vulnerable users and prevent situations where chatbots may unintentionally encourage harmful behaviour.
AI adoption has been extraordinarily rapid
Highlighting the speed at which artificial intelligence has become part of daily life, Guterres compared its growth with the internet.
He noted that while the internet took around 15 years to reach one billion users worldwide, AI achieved the same milestone in just two years. This unprecedented pace, he said, demonstrates why governments cannot afford to delay regulatory action.
The rapid expansion of generative AI tools has significantly increased their presence in education, business, healthcare, creative industries and customer service, making effective governance more urgent than ever before.
UN begins global AI governance efforts
The Geneva dialogue marks the first government-level global meeting dedicated exclusively to AI governance under the United Nations.
Delegates are reviewing findings from the first independent global scientific assessment of artificial intelligence prepared by a UN-backed panel comprising 40 international experts.
The assessment examines AI’s impact on society, economic development, security, ethics and public policy. A more comprehensive report is expected to be released next year, followed by another international AI governance meeting in New York.
The initiative is intended to help countries develop common standards while ensuring AI remains safe, transparent and beneficial for society.
Conclusion
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, the United Nations is calling for stronger international cooperation to ensure its safe development. Antonio Guterres’ warning highlights the urgent need for global rules that balance innovation with responsibility, particularly when protecting children from potential harm. With AI evolving at unprecedented speed, policymakers now face growing pressure to establish safeguards before technology outpaces regulation even further.
Excerpt: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged global AI regulations, warning that artificial intelligence is advancing faster than oversight and putting children at risk.
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