GENEVA, Switzerland — United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an “existential risk to humanity”, calling for urgent international safeguards before increasingly powerful AI systems outpace efforts to control their risks.
Türk made the warning on Monday in a wide-ranging address to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council, shortly before beginning an unprecedented second four-year term after winning re-election in July despite opposition from Russia and the United States.
“I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity,” Türk told the council.
“I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast-iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late.”
UN calls for stronger AI safeguards
Türk did not specify a particular scenario that could lead to an existential threat. However, a spokesperson for his office said failures involving increasingly powerful AI systems could disrupt critical infrastructure, communications and democratic institutions.
The UN human rights office also pointed to concerns about the rapid development of so-called frontier AI systems, arguing that advances in their capabilities could be moving faster than the safeguards designed to contain potential harm.
The spokesperson referred to what she described as “dangerous agent-training behaviours” associated with the July Hugging Face incident, saying the episode illustrated the potential risks posed by increasingly autonomous AI agents.
Türk also warned that decision-making power over advanced AI is concentrated among a relatively small number of people.
“Almost unlimited power over AI” is currently held by a handful of individuals, he said, without naming specific people or companies.
The global AI industry includes major technology companies and AI developers such as Meta, Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.
Türk urges countries to establish AI red lines
The UN rights chief called for governments to cooperate on common standards governing the development and deployment of advanced AI.
“At a minimum, we need countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains to come together around agreed red lines,” he said.
The call comes amid growing international debate over AI safety, accountability and regulation, particularly as developers build systems capable of carrying out increasingly complex tasks with limited human intervention.
Türk’s intervention places AI safety within the broader human-rights debate, highlighting concerns that technological failures could affect essential services, public institutions and democratic processes.
Rights chief demands accountability over US immigration deaths
Türk’s address also focused on human-rights concerns unrelated to artificial intelligence.
He called for accountability over approximately 23 deaths that he said had occurred in US immigration custody so far this year.
He also expressed concern about reported plans to equip immigration enforcement personnel with electric-shock gloves.
The US Department of Homeland Security has previously said it is committed to providing a “safe, secure and humane” environment in immigration detention facilities.
The department’s inspector general is examining deaths in custody dating back to October 2021.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Türk’s remarks.
Türk condemns autonomous weapons
The UN official also condemned Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine and raised concerns over the reported use of autonomous drones.
Türk said he was horrified by reports that Russia had used fully autonomous drones in Ukraine, allegedly killing three people in August.
“I join calls for the urgent prohibition of weapons that can take lives without human involvement,” he said, referring to international discussions taking place in Geneva.
The reports of autonomous drone attacks have not been independently verified by Reuters. Russia’s diplomatic mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The warning adds to international concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies in warfare, particularly weapons systems capable of selecting or engaging targets with limited or no direct human intervention.
UN targets businesses fuelling conflicts
Türk also turned his attention to the role of businesses and economic interests in sustaining conflicts around the world.
He said the UN human rights office would increase scrutiny of companies whose activities or financial interests contribute to armed conflicts.
With more than 60 wars involving at least one state, a level Türk described as the highest since the Second World War, he said the international community must look beyond governments and armed groups to the commercial interests that can sustain violence.
“We will not shy away from exposing the shadow players and calling for accountability,” he said.
The human rights chief’s comments reflect a broader push by the UN to examine corporate responsibility in conflict zones and the relationship between economic activity, human rights and international law.
UN to publish West Bank settlement business list
The UN human rights office is also expected later this month to publish an updated list of businesses operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that the global body considers illegal under international law.
Israel rejects that characterisation.
The publication is expected to renew debate over corporate activities in settlements and the responsibilities of companies operating in disputed or occupied territories.
