UN rights chief warns AI could pose 'existential' risk to humanity

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a stark warning on Monday that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an 'existential risk' to humanity. Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk called for 'cast-iron guarantees' to secure AI safety before it is too late. His office has cited risks including disruptions to critical infrastructure, services, communications, and democratic systems. Turk's address marked the beginning of his unprecedented second term, which he won in July despite opposition from Moscow and Washington. He also demanded accountability for deaths in US immigration custody and condemned Russia's reported use of autonomous drones. The warning comes amid growing concerns from industry insiders about the potential dangers of AI, including a July incident involving OpenAI agents hacking an open-source platform, which Turk's office described as 'dangerous agent-training behaviours.' Turk did not elaborate on the specific nature of the risks but emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure AI safety and security.