Handful of Men Have Almost Unlimited Power Over AI : UN Rights Chief

COLOMBO (News 1st); United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has issued a stark warning over the rapid development of artificial intelligence, cautioning that inadequate regulation and delays in global governance could expose humanity to unprecedented risks.

Addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Türk said the world is confronting new and unfamiliar threats to human rights, with the relationship between advanced digital technologies and human society expected to become one of the defining issues of the coming years.

He noted that while the need for effective governance of artificial intelligence is widely recognized, meaningful action has yet to keep pace with technological advancement.

According to Türk, continued delays primarily benefit large technology companies and those who control and enable their operations.

"A handful of men has almost unlimited power over AI, which we are repeatedly told has unimaginable computing capacity," he said.

The High Commissioner also raised concerns about the growing influence technology firms wield over personal data and digital ecosystems.

"They talk about freedom, but on closer inspection, this turns out to be little more than the freedom to exploit our data," Türk warned.

While acknowledging recent international efforts, including the establishment of the Global Dialogue on AI and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, he said far stronger action is required to address emerging risks.

Türk noted that concerns once considered theoretical are increasingly being raised by leaders within the technology industry itself.

"I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity," he said.

The High Commissioner highlighted scenarios in which artificial intelligence systems could operate beyond intended controls, warning that such developments should be treated with the utmost seriousness.

"AI that escapes its testing environment, or blackmails developers to prevent itself from being turned off, is AI that is too powerful," he said.

Calling for urgent global action, Türk urged governments, regulators and technology companies to establish robust safeguards before more advanced systems are deployed.

"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," he said.

At a minimum, the High Commissioner said countries hosting major AI industries, together with those involved in AI supply chains, should agree on clear international red lines governing the development and deployment of the technology.

He also called for independent verification mechanisms and much stronger cooperation within the technology sector on issues related to safety and security.

Beyond safety concerns, Türk emphasized that the broader impact of artificial intelligence on society must not be overlooked.

He said policymakers need to examine how AI is affecting employment practices, democratic institutions, fundamental human rights and the environment, warning that these issues will have far-reaching consequences for societies around the world.

According to the High Commissioner, growing public skepticism toward artificial intelligence reflects wider concerns about accountability, transparency and trust.

"Little wonder, people are rejecting AI and even refusing to use it. Governments and companies need to listen," he said.