Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in professional or personal life, transforming both the public and private sectors, ranging from healthcare, education, employment, transportation or defense. However, collective action is required to address the inherent risks of AI. Ensuring responsible ethical use in the international community has become a global priority.
AI systems can accelerate efficiency by automating tasks and reducing operational burdens, but they also introduce new and complex vulnerabilities. Tools that allow public and private organizations to function more effectively can also carry out sophisticated cyberattacks such as biological age design, phishing, whaling, denial of service (DOS), man-in-the-middle (MITM) operations, amplifying the transformation and easy enforcement of authority.
AI in modern conflict
In the defense sector, AI is already reconstructing the landscape of modern conflict. Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) and fatal autonomous weapons (laws) are increasingly working when human intervention is limited or no at all. These developments raise basic ethical, legal, and security questions, including those related to accountability and the possibility of rapid dispute escalation.
Regulation blank
International policy making and legal responses have not kept up to this technological advancement. As a result, a regulatory blank appeared. The lack of an accountability framework, early warning mechanisms, and consistent cooperation between international organizations (IOS) allowed malicious actors to operate without meaningful consequences.
In an environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult to attributable cyberattacks to certain stakeholders, cases where the definition of AI and its components is not clear, and cases that continue to grow, trust and affect cooperation between international organizations, are more important than ever.
The importance of multilateral cooperation
As Antonio Guterres highlighted at the French AI Action Summit (February 2025):
“Cooperative efforts are needed to build sustainable digital infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.”
A proactive, inclusive, and rules-based approach based on shared responsibility and human rights must guide the efforts of the global community to effectively manage AI. It is only through robust and coordinated actions that the world can utilize AI for sustainable development, peace and international security.
Managing AI: The roles of the United Nations and other major actors
The United Nations has taken several steps to promote a regulatory approach to AI to maximize its benefits and effectively manage the associated risks.
– High-level AI advisory organization (2023–2024): The UN Secretary-General brought together 39 AI leaders from 33 countries from all regional and multiple sectors to advise on global AI governance and align with the Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals. Body's final report outlines a blueprint for addressing AI-related risks and sharing their transformational potential globally.
– Global Digital Compact: A comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and artificial intelligence governance.
– ITU is AI for good initiatives: The United Nations' leading platform on artificial intelligence to solve global challenges. It brings together policymakers, researchers, and businesses to promote the use of AI to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
– UNESCO's recommendations for artificial intelligence ethics: UNESCO's first global standard for AI Ethics, adopted in 2021, applies to all UNESCO's 194 member countries. It provides an overview of principles relating to transparency, accountability, and data governance.
As of January 1, 2025, a new United Nations Office (ODET) for Digital and Emerging Technology has been established. The office's key focus is to support follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact, including decisions on AI governance.
In the region, european union With the adoption of the company, it emerged as a global regulatory leader. AI ACT2024. AI Law is the first ever comprehensive legal framework for AI around the world, aiming to promote reliable AI in Europe.
OECD AI Principles It was adopted in 2019 and updated in 2024. This is the first intergovernmental standard for AI to promote innovative and trustworthy AI that respects human rights and democratic values. This principle provides practical and flexible guidance for policymakers and AI actors.
The importance of collective action
Collective efforts are required to ensure the responsible use of AI, close governance gaps, and align AI development with human dignity, peace and sustainability. In an age of digital globalization, regulating AI at the national level is becoming increasingly difficult, and global coordination is becoming essential. To achieve this, the United Nations will promote multilateral cooperation between Member States, along with cooperation between international organizations and public and private sector partnerships. This coordinated approach is a prerequisite for building a prosperous future against the threat posed by malicious actors.
Read more:
AI: Transformative Power and Governance Challenges
The United Nations tackles the dangers of AI and fatal autonomous weapon systems
Artificial Intelligence – Selected Online Resources
