Published on: 2026-09-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Alpha Diallo, Geneva
7 September 2026 Peace and security
On Monday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, joined the increasingly frequent calls to strengthen control over artificial intelligence. He warned that this revolutionary technology, if left unchecked, could become an “existential threat to humanity.”
In the absence of mandatory rules, independent oversight, and clear restrictions, the technology can become uncontrollable, the High Commissioner stated while addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Türk allowed for the possibility that artificial intelligence systems might become so powerful that developers would no longer be able to control them.
“An AI that breaks out of the testing environment or blackmails developers to prevent them from turning it off is an AI that is too powerful,” he said. “Today, I urge making every possible effort to create strong safety and security guarantees for AI before it is too late.”
Control is in the hands of a “handful of men”
Türk called on countries where artificial intelligence technologies are deployed, as well as states involved in supply chains, to work together to establish clear boundaries for the spread of the new technology.
“We need independent verification and much closer cooperation on security within the industry,” he said.
However, according to the High Commissioner, the problem goes far beyond technical safety. “A handful of men possess practically unlimited power over AI,” he said, pointing to the growing concentration of technological power and the vast amounts of data that are collected and processed.
He also emphasized the need to develop technologies that “serve humanity, not the other way around.” He called for attention to employment, democracy, and environmental protection issues, Tuerk noted, insisting that human rights must remain the main guide.
Fully autonomous drones are no longer the future
The High Commissioner also expressed concern about the use of AI in military actions, especially the development of weapons capable of making decisions to take human life without human intervention.
According to Tyurk, he was “horrified” by reports that Russia allegedly used fully autonomous drones that killed three Ukrainians last month. It is reported that Ukraine also conducted tests of similar weapons.
“I join the calls to urgently ban weapons capable of taking people’s lives without human involvement,” he told the Council members.
Tyurk also warned that Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for five years, is leading to an increasing number of civilian casualties and the destruction of critically important energy infrastructure. Reports of deaths and injuries are also coming from Russia.
More than 60 wars
The High Commissioner also expressed deep concern about the increasing number of armed conflicts and the weakening of international law worldwide.
Today, more than 60 conflicts are occurring on the planet — a level not seen since the end of World War II.
Türk is concerned about the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran and their broader geopolitical and economic consequences. According to him, reports continue to come in about civilian casualties, including at a wedding in Iran’s Hormozgan province.
Gaza and the occupied West Bank
Speaking about the Middle East, Türk condemned the ongoing Israeli strikes on Gaza and the restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid, as well as plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the dehumanizing rhetoric of some high-ranking Israeli officials.
He also condemned the executions and tortures reportedly carried out by armed groups linked to Hamas.
As for the occupied West Bank, Türk called for measures to be taken against annexation, expansion of Israeli settlements, and arms supplies that could contribute to violations of international law.
“The international community must redouble its efforts to achieve a lasting peace in which Palestine and Israel live side by side, with dignity and equal rights,” said Türk, noting that words of condemnation cannot reflect the full extent of the pain and suffering borne by the civilian population.
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