UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that artificial intelligence, algorithms and digital platforms are giving hate speech new channels to spread rapidly, urging governments, technology companies and civil society to work together to contain the threat.
Guterres issued the warning on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during the opening of the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The UN chief said the rapid expansion of online hate is deepening divisions between communities and allowing messages targeting people on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality and other identity factors to reach increasingly large audiences.
AI creating new pathways for hate
Guterres said technological advances have expanded the speed and reach of hateful content, with artificial intelligence and algorithms providing new avenues for its dissemination.
“Toxic messages are spreading fast and striking deep. Taking on new forms. Finding new pathways. And weaponising new technologies, from digital platforms and algorithms to Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
The UN has previously warned that AI can be used to generate, disseminate and amplify hate speech, including through artificially generated images, videos and other forms of media. At the same time, the organisation has noted that responsibly designed AI can also help detect and mitigate harmful content.
Hate speech can fuel violence
Guterres warned that the consequences of hate speech can extend beyond offensive or discriminatory language.
“In its worst forms, hate speech incites violence, drives conflict, and contributes to the perpetration of atrocity crimes,” he said, referring to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
The UN has described hate speech as a threat to social cohesion and international peace, particularly when it contributes to discrimination, dehumanisation and incitement to violence.
Racism, misogyny and xenophobia
According to Guterres, the wider circulation of hateful messages is also contributing to the normalisation of hostility towards different communities.
He cited racism, misogyny and xenophobia among forms of hatred being celebrated or amplified, while warning that antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination against minority Christian communities and other religious and ethnic groups are also being normalised.
The UN’s broader strategy on hate speech identifies racism, xenophobia, violent misogyny, antisemitism and religious hatred among the forms of intolerance requiring coordinated responses.
Guterres cautions against censorship
Guterres stressed that efforts to combat hate speech should not become a pretext for suppressing legitimate freedom of expression.
“Reining in hate speech does not mean extinguishing freedom of expression,” he said, while arguing that freedom of expression should not be invoked to justify or intensify harm.
The UN has similarly emphasised that responses to hate speech must balance efforts to prevent incitement and discrimination with protections for freedom of opinion and expression.
Call for governments and tech firms to act
Guterres said tackling online hate requires action extending beyond the United Nations.
He called for governments, regional and international organisations, technology companies, media organisations, academics and faith communities to play a role in addressing both the causes and consequences of hate speech.
He also called for stronger dialogue between cultures, religions and communities as part of efforts to prevent hatred from escalating into discrimination, violence and conflict.
UN pushes whole-of-society response
The Global Conference brought together governments, UN officials, religious and faith leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to examine ways of countering hate speech through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The UN has also urged greater investment in education, media and information literacy, reliable public information and cooperation between governments, technology companies, civil society and communities.
Guterres said the international community must reject hatred both online and offline and strengthen efforts to build societies based on dialogue, mutual understanding and respect.
“We must work together to foster mutual understanding. To end the tragic cycles of fear, hatred, and violence. And to build the cohesive and stable societies envisioned in the UN Charter,” he said.
