NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Khalilur Rahman, head of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, issued a warning Tuesday that the international community is lagging behind in establishing effective governance over artificial intelligence. He emphasized that AI has already become an integral part of vital systems influencing daily life worldwide. Rahman advocated for safeguards grounded in scientific research that safeguard public interests while permitting ongoing innovation. His comments marked the opening of the General Debate at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He connected the need for efficient AI oversight with broader efforts to adapt the organization to rapid global changes.
Rahman highlighted the crucial role of governments in steering international discussions on AI regulation and governance. At the same time, he pointed out that governments alone do not possess all the necessary expertise, technology, capital or influence to fully address the issue. Significant knowledge and technical capacity already reside within businesses, researchers, innovators, and civil society, he explained. Rahman called on the United Nations to actively involve those involved in developing and deploying AI. His appeal aimed to broaden policymakers’ access to expertise as AI systems become increasingly embedded in economies and public infrastructure.
According to Rahman, artificial intelligence is already deeply integrated into water supply systems, electrical grids, health records, economic structures, and military operations. This degree of integration sets AI apart from earlier international challenges related to emerging technologies, he noted. Rahman also issued a caution against an arms race to control AI capabilities, stressing that governments need prudent and scientifically supported guardrails. Simultaneously, he argued that international AI governance should foster innovation and acknowledge the potential of technology to advance human development.
UN advances global framework for AI oversight
The United Nations has already put in place new mechanisms to facilitate international dialogue on artificial intelligence. Under Resolution 79/325, the General Assembly established the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The Global Dialogue convened its inaugural session in Geneva on July 6 and 7, 2026, creating a platform for governments and stakeholders to discuss key issues related to AI governance. The 40-member scientific panel provides independent assessments on AI opportunities, risks, and impacts to inform international policymaking.
Rahman also addressed the topic of multilateral AI governance during a speech in New York on September 10, prior to the start of the General Debate. He emphasized that the primary question was how governments and other actors would oversee technologies already transforming societies. On September 20, Rahman met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Their discussion covered cooperation between the UN General Assembly and the ITU on AI regulation, as well as the challenges posed by advanced AI and the importance of industry engagement in ongoing international discussions.
AI regulation becomes a key aspect of UN reform efforts
Rahman placed artificial intelligence within the broader context of reforming and strengthening the United Nations to be more open and inclusive. He pointed out that while member states and the UN Secretariat remain vital, they cannot cover all necessary capabilities alone. His remarks called for increased collaboration with businesses, innovators, researchers, and civil society where relevant expertise exists. These comments were made during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York. The 81st session’s General Debate began on September 22 and is scheduled to run through September 26, concluding on September 28.
Rahman emphasized that AI governance is an area where the UN must respond swiftly to technological progress. He cited previous international efforts addressing issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, ozone layer protection, and human cloning as examples of the organization’s engagement with global challenges. His speech called for establishing “prudent and reliable guardrails” supported by scientific evidence and extensive expertise. He also reiterated that governments should remain central to this process, combining leadership with technical input from institutions already involved in developing, studying, and utilizing artificial intelligence.