NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, highlighted on Tuesday that the UN is lagging behind the pace of advancements in artificial intelligence. He emphasized that AI already plays a role in vital systems impacting daily life around the globe. Rahman called for safeguards grounded in scientific knowledge that protect public interests without hindering progress. His comments marked the opening of the General Debate at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He connected the effectiveness of AI governance with broader efforts to make the organization more adaptable to global changes.
Rahman stressed that governments must remain at the forefront of international discussions concerning AI regulation and oversight. He also pointed out that governments alone lack the full range of expertise, technology, capital, or influence needed to tackle the issue effectively. He noted that businesses, researchers, innovators, and civil society already possess significant knowledge and technical capabilities. Rahman urged the United Nations to actively involve those involved in developing and deploying artificial intelligence. His appeal aimed to broaden the pool of expertise available to policymakers as AI systems become increasingly integrated into economies and public infrastructure.
According to the UNGA president, artificial intelligence is already integrated into water management, electricity networks, health records, economies, and military systems. This degree of integration sets AI apart from earlier international challenges involving emerging technologies, he stated. Rahman also issued a warning against an arms race for AI dominance. He emphasized the need for governments to establish cautious, scientifically-supported guardrails. At the same time, he maintained that international AI governance should preserve room for innovation and recognize the potential of technology to support human advancement.
UN expands global AI oversight initiatives
The United Nations has taken steps to establish new mechanisms for international dialogue on artificial intelligence. Under Resolution 79/325, the General Assembly set up the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The first session of the Global Dialogue took place in Geneva on July 6 and 7, 2026, serving as a platform for governments and stakeholders to discuss key issues in AI governance. The 40-member scientific panel offers independent insights into AI opportunities, risks, and impacts to inform international policy discussions.
Rahman also spoke on multilateral AI governance in New York on September 10, ahead of the start of the General Debate. He identified the main concern as how governments and other stakeholders should regulate the technologies already transforming societies. On September 20, Rahman held a meeting with International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. Their discussions focused on collaboration between the General Assembly and the ITU regarding AI governance, as well as addressing complex AI challenges and the importance of maintaining industry engagement as global discussions progress.
AI discussions become part of broader UN reform efforts
Rahman positioned artificial intelligence within a larger push for a more open and inclusive United Nations. He underscored that while member states and the UN Secretariat are vital to the organization’s work, they cannot cover every aspect needed for effective governance. His remarks called for increased engagement with businesses, researchers, innovators, and civil society where relevant expertise exists. These comments were made during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York, with the 81st session’s General Debate running from September 22 through September 26, concluding on September 28.
Rahman argued that the UN must respond more swiftly to technological changes, using past efforts on nuclear non-proliferation, ozone layer protection, and human cloning as examples of its engagement with global challenges. His speech emphasized the need for “prudent and reliable guardrails” based on scientific evidence and broader expertise. He reaffirmed that governments should stay central to the process, advocating a model where government leadership is complemented by technical input from organizations actively developing, studying, and utilizing artificial intelligence.