U.S. Rejects International AI Oversight at U.N. General Assembly
NEW YORK — The United States has recently engaged in a significant clash with world leaders concerning artificial intelligence at the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. delegation firmly rejected calls for global oversight of AI, as various nations advocated for the establishment of new collaborative frameworks.
U.S. Criticism of Centralized Governance
During a Security Council meeting on AI, Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, voiced strong opposition to international bodies attempting to assert centralized control over AI. He stated, “We totally reject all efforts by international bodies to assert centralized control and global governance of AI.” Kratsios emphasized that the future of AI should not be dictated by “bureaucratic management,” but rather maintain the “independence and sovereignty of nations.”
Contrasting Views on AI Governance
While Kratsios dismissed the concept of combined governance, President Donald Trump highlighted in his speech that the White House aims to pioneer an AI verification system that everyone can trust, particularly in enforcing the Biological Weapons Convention. He expressed hope for the U.N. to play a constructive role in this endeavor, recognizing AI’s potential benefits as well as its dangers.
A spokesperson from the State Department reinforced the U.S. position, stating, “The United States supports like-minded nations working together to encourage the development of AI in line with our shared values.” This stance starkly contrasts with many initiatives launched at the General Assembly.
Introduction of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance
On the same day, the U.N. launched the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, marking its first dedicated body for AI governance involving all member states. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres proclaimed that this initiative aims to lay the cornerstones of a global AI ecosystem capable of keeping pace with rapidly advancing technology. Nobel Prize recipient Daron Acemoglu emphasized that AI represents “the biggest threat that humanity has faced.”
Misinterpretation of U.N. Regulation Role
In response to the U.S. criticisms, Amandeep Singh Gill, the U.N.’s special envoy for digital and emerging technologies, clarified that the U.N. is not seeking to regulate AI in a top-down manner. Instead, he argued that the U.N.’s mechanisms would facilitate platforms for international cooperation on AI governance, allowing regulation to remain within sovereign jurisdictions.
International Support for AI Governance
China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ma Zhaoxu, highlighted the necessity of fostering an open and inclusive environment for technological development, opposing unilateralism and protectionism. He voiced support for the U.N.’s central role in AI governance.
Additionally, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed strong support for international cooperation on AI, emphasizing the U.N.’s legitimacy as a forum for forging consensus around shared interests in AI governance.
Looking Ahead
As discussions continue, experts like Renan Araujo, director of programs for the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy, noted that while there is a desire to avoid burdensome governance structures, the transnational nature of AI-related challenges will likely increase. The U.N. has previously addressed AI through the Global Digital Compact, which laid the groundwork for the current AI dialogue and an independent scientific panel to evaluate AI’s capabilities and risks. The first full meeting of the Global Dialogue is scheduled for the summer of 2026.
