NU warns advanced AI could pose existential risk to humanity

All human rights are at risk, including the rights to life, food, privacy, health and security, due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Monday.

“The current race toward increasingly powerful AI represents a qualitative leap toward greater existential risks for every aspect of our lives,” Türk said in a statement.

His warning comes after employees in the technology sector called for the development of AI to be slowed.

Türk also raised concerns about agentic AI, which goes beyond conventional systems and can make decisions on its own. He warned that failures in these systems could potentially paralyze essential services, disrupt communications, destabilize critical infrastructure and affect democratic institutions.

The UN official’s comments highlight growing concerns over the potential consequences of increasingly autonomous and powerful AI systems.