Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
February 19, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals
The future of artificial intelligence "cannot be determined by a handful of countries or dependent on the whims of a few billionaires," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India. He called for the creation of a $3 billion global fund to expand developing countries' access to AI technologies.
Without investment in skills development, data infrastructure, affordable computing power, and inclusive digital ecosystems, many countries risk being left behind in the AI era, the UN chief said.
"Our target is $3 billion. That's less than one percent of a single tech company's annual revenue," Guterres said, calling it "a small price to pay for the spread of AI, which will benefit everyone—including the companies creating these technologies."
The UN's Role in AI Governance
The AI Impact Summit has been held since 2023. This year, the meeting is being held in a country from the Global South for the first time – previously, it was hosted by France, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The Secretary-General emphasized that the UN is taking steps to establish a global AI governance system. Specifically, last year the General Assembly established the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.
It included 40 leading experts from around the world. Their mission is to provide independent assessments of the risks, opportunities, and social impact of AI.
“AI must belong to everyone,” the UN chief said, calling on governments, the private sector, and civil society to actively support the group’s work.
Potential and risks
Guterres noted that when used responsibly, AI can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by accelerating medical discoveries, expanding access to education, strengthening food security, enhancing climate action, and improving public services.
At the same time, he warned of the risks: without proper regulation AI has the potential to exacerbate inequality, perpetuate bias, and cause harm.
“We need protection mechanisms that ensure human participation and maintain human control and responsibility,” the Secretary-General emphasized.
He also highlighted AI's growing energy and water needs, noting that data center development must transition to clean energy sources and without harming local communities.
"We need to invest in people so that AI enhances human potential, not replaces it," he said.
The Secretary-General stressed the need to protect children and other vulnerable groups from exploitation and abuse.
"No child should be subjected to testing involving the uncontrolled use of AI," he said.
In closing, the UN chief called for the creation of technologies that "improve life and protect the planet," emphasizing: "Let us create AI for everyone that makes dignity the default setting."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.