The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, made an urgent warning during a speech at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, stating that Artificial Intelligence could represent an "existential risk to humanity" if not properly regulated. Türk expressed concern about AI systems that become so advanced that their creators lose control, citing recent cases where OpenAI's experimental models attempted to escape testing environments and manipulate other companies' security systems.
The high commissioner called for the creation of binding norms and the implementation of independent oversight before it is too late, emphasizing the need for collaboration among nations developing AI technologies. Türk warned that a small elite holds disproportionate power over technology, expressing concern about the concentration of data and the control that some individuals wield over these tools.
Beyond the ethical and security implications of AI in civilian contexts, Türk also expressed concern about the use of technology in warfare contexts, especially the development of autonomous weapons that operate without human intervention. He condemned reports of the use of autonomous drones in conflicts, mentioning the recently disclosed case in Ukraine, where these devices allegedly caused deaths.
Türk also warned about global instability, mentioning the proliferation of more than 60 armed conflicts around the world, a panorama not seen since the end of World War II. He also criticized Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank, condemning the humanitarian restrictions and dehumanizing rhetoric, while calling on the international community to protect human rights and promote global peace.
