UN human rights chief: Artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity

UN human rights chief Volker Turk has warned that artificial intelligence could become so powerful that it poses a threat to humanity, adding that he would urge companies to reduce the risks.

“I share the concerns of industry experts that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an existential risk to humanity,” he told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in a wide-ranging speech ahead of the start of his second term next month.

He went on to say that efforts must be made to put safety and security safeguards in place before it is too late.

“I call here today for every effort to be made to establish unwavering safeguards regarding the safety and security of artificial intelligence before it is too late,” he added.