Who should set the rules for AI? The UN is pushing for a safer digital future
Who Should Set the Rules for AI? UN Seeks Safeguards
Qinilo.com – Who should set the rules for AI as the technology advances faster than many laws can respond? The United Nations says no country can address the challenge alone. While artificial intelligence can support research, problem-solving and access to knowledge, it can also create risks that cross borders and affect people everywhere.
The question gained added urgency after a former Anthropic researcher warned on 8 September that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity. The UN is calling for shared principles, stronger safeguards and international cooperation to help societies benefit from AI while managing its dangers.
“National action is essential, but global coordination is indispensable,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
Building a global approach to AI governance
The UN’s work builds on the Global Digital Compact, agreed by Member States in 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future. The Compact called for cooperation on artificial intelligence and proposed two mechanisms: an independent scientific panel and an annual global dialogue on AI governance.
In August 2025, the UN General Assembly formally established both bodies. The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI is intended to assess the technology’s opportunities, risks and uncertainties using evidence. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance gives governments, researchers, companies and civil society a forum to compare policies and discuss possible responses.
Separating scientific assessment from political decisions is central to this model. Researchers can examine capabilities and harms, while governments must determine how rules should be applied, enforced and aligned with public priorities and legal obligations.
Risks are growing alongside AI capabilities
The panel’s first preliminary report, published on 1 July, described rapid progress in AI reasoning, coding and scientific work. It also identified serious concerns, including misinformation, discriminatory outcomes, privacy breaches and cyberattacks. The report further raised questions about highly capable systems that could become difficult for people to control.
These developments sharpen the debate over who should set the rules for AI. Governments can create national laws, but AI systems developed in one country may influence information, security, privacy, labour markets and public life far beyond its borders.
“We need a shared understanding of how to advance the safe, secure, and responsible development of AI – while identifying when increasingly powerful systems may require stronger safeguards, or additional measures to manage potential risks,” Mr. Guterres said.
For the public, AI governance has everyday consequences. Automated tools can shape the information people see, process personal data, support decisions in workplaces and public services, and enable or prevent online fraud. International coordination does not replace domestic regulation, but it can help establish safeguards where isolated action falls short.
Why voluntary commitments may fall short
Mr. Guterres has argued that voluntary commitments from developers may not be enough when safeguards are uneven, difficult to verify or adopted by only some actors. In a competitive global environment, action by one company or country may have limited effect if others do not follow comparable standards.
“If we believe AI development should slow when risks become too great, we need more than good intentions,” he said.
The Secretary-General has also called for an AI Child Safety Pledge, reflecting concern about the impact of digital technologies on children. The wider UN effort aims to ensure that increasingly powerful AI systems are developed and used safely, securely and responsibly.
FAQ: AI rules and international cooperation
Why should AI rules involve international cooperation? AI systems and their effects can cross national borders. Shared cooperation can help countries address risks such as misinformation, privacy violations and cyberattacks that are difficult to manage through national action alone.
Who should set the rules for AI? The UN’s approach brings together governments, scientists, companies and civil society. Scientific experts can assess evidence and risks, while governments remain responsible for making and enforcing laws.
What can people do to protect themselves when using AI? Be careful about sharing personal information, verify important claims through reliable sources, and understand when automated tools may be influencing decisions or content you encounter.