SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for wider global participation in artificial intelligence governance during a major conference in Shanghai. He said AI must serve people across all regions, not only governments and companies with the largest resources. Guterres pointed to its growing role in health, education, agriculture and employment. He also warned that unequal access could widen existing gaps between countries and communities.
The UN chief said billions of people still lack reliable internet access, computing power and advanced technical skills. He urged greater investment in digital infrastructure, trusted data, local language tools and professional training. These resources would help developing countries create AI systems that support public services and national priorities. More than 20 countries, including China, have nominated centers for a UN-supported network focused on artificial intelligence capacity building.
Guterres said he would submit recommendations for a Global Fund for AI to support countries with limited resources. He identified three priorities for international cooperation: stronger capacity, shared safety rules and lower environmental costs. He called for compatible testing methods and common risk assessments based on human rights and international law. He also said people must keep control over decisions involving life and death.
Shared safeguards for AI systems
The secretary-general placed special emphasis on protecting children from unsafe artificial intelligence tools. He said developers should prove that a system is safe before placing it in a child’s hands. Governments and technology companies should build safeguards before products enter classrooms, homes or public services. He also said every country should have a role in shaping international rules for AI development and use.
Artificial intelligence also carries growing environmental costs from data centers, electricity demand and water use. Guterres asked major technology companies to report the energy, emissions and water impact of their systems. He called on them to use renewable power for operations by 2030 and improve data center efficiency. Governments should include clean energy needs for AI infrastructure in national climate and energy plans, he said.
Global access and accountable governance
The United Nations has expanded its work on AI governance through international dialogue and capacity-building programs. Member states established a Global Dialogue on AI Governance to bring together governments, researchers, industry and civil society. The initiative supports discussion on safety, access, human oversight and responsible development. Guterres said global rules must keep pace with rapid advances while protecting rights and public accountability.
At the Shanghai conference, Guterres linked access, safety and sustainability as parts of one global policy challenge. He said AI can support progress in healthcare, education, food systems and essential public services. Its benefits, however, depend on fair access to infrastructure, skills and decision-making forums. He urged governments and companies to cooperate on standards, investment and clean energy so artificial intelligence serves people across every region.