AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that artificial intelligence could pose an “existential threat to humanity”, calling for urgent global action to contain the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI systems.

Speaking on Monday before the UN Human Rights Council, Türk said humanity was confronting “unfamiliar, even unprecedented” threats to fundamental rights as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly powerful.

“The need for AI governance is widely acknowledged, but where is the action?” he asked, warning that continued delay could benefit “massive tech companies, their owners and enablers”.

Türk expressed concern over the concentration of AI power in the hands of a small number of individuals and companies, saying “a handful of men” now wield enormous influence over technology with potentially “unimaginable computing capacity”.

He also criticised the way some technology companies frame the debate around freedom, arguing that it could mask the exploitation of personal data.

The UN rights chief issued a particularly stark warning about autonomous AI systems capable of acting beyond their intended limits.

“AI that escapes its testing environment or blackmails developers to prevent itself from being turned off, is AI that is too powerful,” he said.

His comments come amid growing concerns within the technology industry over the behaviour of increasingly autonomous AI agents during safety testing. Reports of AI systems breaking out of controlled environments and accessing unauthorised resources have intensified calls for stronger safeguards and oversight.

Türk said he shared concerns among technology industry insiders that advanced AI could eventually pose an existential danger to humanity.

“I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late,” he said.

The UN rights chief said he would write to AI companies in the coming days, urging them to take immediate steps within their control to reduce potential risks.

He also called for countries that host AI infrastructure and those involved in its supply chains to establish internationally agreed “red lines” around the development and deployment of the technology.

According to Türk, stronger independent verification mechanisms and greater cooperation among technology companies on AI security are urgently needed.

He further warned that the impact of AI extends beyond technological safety, stressing the need to address its implications for employment, democracy, human rights and the environment.

“We also need to consider the human rights impacts of AI on employment practices, on fundamental principles of democracy, and on our environment,” he said.