Volker Türk Warns of Existential Risks from Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Calls for Immediate Governance

UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an existential risk to humanity. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, Volker Türk stated that people face unprecedented threats to their rights due to the rapid development of the technology. He noted that while the need for AI governance is widely acknowledged, a handful of companies and owners currently hold almost unlimited power over the AI systems. Volker Türk called for an all-out effort to establish cast-iron guarantees regarding the safety and security of AI. He urged countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains to collaborate on agreed red lines and independent verification. He also highlighted the need to consider the human rights impacts of AI on employment, democracy, and the environment. The warning comes as major technology companies, including Meta Platforms, continue to invest heavily in the AI race. Meta Platforms reported second-quarter capital expenditures of $31.08 billion, representing approximately 51.1% of its revenue.

Sources

• Euronews.com
  UN rights chief warns how AI could pose ‘existential risk to humanity’
• TradingView
  Meta's $31 Billion AI Quarter Meets the UN's Red Line Demand

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• Reuters
  AI could pose 'existential' risk to humanity, UN rights chief warns
• news.un.org
  AI: Türk urges action before it becomes an ‘existential risk to humanity’
• Digital Trends
  The UN wants AI companies to set safety limits before AI gets too powerful