United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to urgently regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the military field, warning of its risks to international peace and security. In a report addressed to the UN General Assembly, Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s firm stance against any systems possessing discretionary authority to take human lives, describing them as “morally repugnant.” He emphasized the necessity of directing AI towards peaceful uses that contribute to sustainable development, while warning against the increasing use of this technology in armed conflicts. Guterres noted that AI could improve the accuracy of military operations and reduce human errors but poses serious challenges, especially regarding human accountability in conflicts, particularly in densely populated areas.

He stressed that decisions on the use of force, especially concerning nuclear weapons, must remain solely in human hands, underscoring the importance of states’ adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and human rights law throughout the AI usage cycle. He warned that this technology might facilitate non-state actors in developing or acquiring biological and chemical weapons, calling on states to systematically assess its risks, be fully prepared to confront them, and fulfill their international disarmament and non-proliferation obligations. Guterres also expressed concern about the increasing use of civilian AI applications in the military field due to their dual-use nature, which complicates oversight and undermines transparency and accountability. He urged states to study the overlaps between civilian and military uses of this technology, enhance joint cooperation, especially in transparency, confidence-building, and regional measures to address related challenges.

Guterres recommended launching a comprehensive international mechanism to address AI in the military and its impact on international peace and security, to be considered during the 80th session of the General Assembly scheduled for next September.