UN Tech Chief Urges Global AI Regulation to Curb Risks

The world urgently needs a unified, global approach to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), warned the United Nations' top technology official, stressing that fragmented efforts could heighten risks and worsen global inequalities.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said there is great potential for AI to benefit humanity—but only if managed responsibly.

"There's an urgency to get the right framework in place," she said. "We need a global approach."

Her remarks came as the United States unveiled a low-regulation AI strategy aimed at maintaining its lead over China. While the plan focuses on deregulation and cutting red tape, Bogdan-Martin avoided direct criticism, noting she was still reviewing the details.

She acknowledged the diverse approaches to AI regulation globally, citing the European Union, China, and now the US. “What’s needed is for those approaches to engage in dialogue,” she said.

Currently, 85% of countries lack national AI strategies. Among those that do, the focus tends to be on innovation, infrastructure, and capacity-building. However, Bogdan-Martin said the global community must still determine the right balance between regulation and innovation.

Highlighting the digital divide, she pointed out that 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, cutting them off from the benefits of AI. "If we don’t bridge those divides, AI could stand for advancing inequalities," she cautioned.

She also called for increased female participation in the digital and AI sectors. “We don’t have enough women in AI,” said the ITU chief, the first woman to hold the position in the organisation's 160-year history.

Bogdan-Martin, who hopes to serve a second term as ITU head, emphasised the importance of inclusive, responsible development of AI technologies. "The need for a global approach is critical. Fragmented paths won’t serve humanity," she said.