NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, emphasized the importance of accelerating international efforts to establish safeguards for artificial intelligence during the assembly’s opening session. Addressing delegates at the start of the General Debate, he expressed concerns that the UN may lag behind the swift progression of technological innovations. Rahman called on governments worldwide to develop trustworthy protections based on scientific data, while ensuring policies remain adaptable to foster innovation. His comments positioned artificial intelligence as one of the most critical issues facing the global community today.
Rahman stressed that national governments must play a central role in the governance of AI. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that expertise also resides with researchers, businesses, innovators, and civil society organizations. He urged a broader involvement of these groups in discussions about AI development and deployment, highlighting that their technical insights can enrich policymaking processes among nations. This appeal underscores the increasing presence of AI across public services, commercial sectors, and national infrastructure.
According to Rahman, artificial intelligence is already integrated into electricity grids, water systems, health records, economies, and military applications. He issued a warning against an international race to dominate the technology. Instead, he advocated for practical regulatory frameworks that can mitigate risks while enabling beneficial uses of AI. Such safeguards, he argued, should be rooted in reputable scientific understanding. His remarks coincided with ongoing efforts by governments to establish global structures that examine AI’s risks, opportunities, and governance models.
UN develops new structures for AI oversight
Over the past year, the United Nations has significantly expanded its initiatives related to artificial intelligence. The General Assembly established the Global Dialogue on AI Governance as well as an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The dialogue’s inaugural session took place in Geneva on July 6 and 7, 2026. This gathering brought together governments, experts, and other stakeholders to deliberate on international AI policies. The scientific panel comprises 40 members charged with evaluating AI’s benefits, risks, and broader societal impacts.
Prior to the General Debate in New York, Rahman also addressed AI governance. On September 10, he discussed the role of governments and stakeholders in managing the rapidly evolving technologies affecting societies. Subsequently, on September 20, he met with International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. Their discussions focused on cooperation in AI governance and tackling advanced AI challenges, as well as maintaining ongoing engagement with industry actors as global AI initiatives progress.
AI discussions linked to broader UN reform efforts
Rahman connected the topic of artificial intelligence to a larger conversation about how the United Nations responds to swiftly changing global issues. He emphasized that member states and the UN Secretariat remain vital in addressing these challenges. At the same time, he pointed out that specialized external expertise from researchers, companies, and civil society groups has become increasingly crucial in technical fields. Their knowledge can significantly contribute to policymaking processes. These remarks were made during the UN’s high-level meetings in New York for the 81st session.
The General Debate for the 81st session started on September 22 and will run through September 26, concluding on September 28. Rahman reflected on past instances where the UN has faced major technological and security issues, such as nuclear proliferation, human cloning, and international efforts to protect the ozone layer. Regarding artificial intelligence, he called for leadership from governments, backed by scientific and technical expertise. His overarching message was about maintaining relevance in global governance as AI becomes increasingly integrated into critical systems and societies worldwide.