UN Chief Warns: AI Cannot Be Left to the Whims of Billionaires

Speaking on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Guterres emphasized that leaving the control of such a transformative technology in the hands of a small elite would inevitably worsen global economic and social inequalities.

To ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone, the Secretary-General proposed the creation of a $3 billion voluntary global fund. He called upon the world’s wealthiest tech tycoons to contribute, noting that this target represents less than one percent of the annual revenue of a single major tech corporation. This fund is intended to build basic capacity in developing nations—including skills, data access, and computing power—preventing them from being "logged out" of the digital revolution.

Guterres highlighted both the immense potential and the dark risks of AI. While the technology can accelerate breakthroughs in medicine, education, and climate action, he cautioned that it could also amplify bias and fuel exploitation.

• Child Safety: He specifically demanded protections for children, stating that "no child should be a test subject for unregulated AI."

• Environmental Impact: Addressing the massive energy and water demands of AI data centers, he urged a shift toward clean energy to protect vulnerable communities from environmental costs.

• Global Governance: The Secretary-General announced that the UN has appointed a 40-member Independent International Scientific Panel on AI to close knowledge gaps and will launch a Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva this July to establish necessary "guardrails" for human oversight and accountability.