United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday called for the creation of a $3 billion global fund for artificial intelligence to help developing countries build basic capacity and avoid being left behind in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Speaking at the AI India summit in New Delhi, Guterres said the future of artificial intelligence “cannot be decided by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires,” stressing that the technology must be accessible to all. “We must replace hype and fear with shared evidence and close knowledge gaps,” he said.
Guterres noted that the UN General Assembly last year established an independent international scientific panel on AI and launched a global dialogue on AI governance within the United Nations to align international efforts, uphold human rights, and prevent misuse of the technology. He emphasized the need for global cooperation to strengthen safety measures and ensure interoperability.
Warning that many nations risk being excluded from technological progress without adequate investment, Guterres proposed the global fund to support developing countries in areas such as skills development, data access, affordable computing power, and inclusive digital ecosystems. “Our target is $3 billion. That is less than 1% of the annual revenue of a single tech company,” he said, describing the initiative as a modest cost for broad AI development.
The UN chief highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to advance sustainable development goals, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and improve access to public services. However, he cautioned that AI could also deepen inequality, amplify bias, and pose risks if left unchecked.
“We must invest in workers so AI augments human potential, not only replaces it,” Guterres said, adding that safeguards are needed to protect people from exploitation, manipulation, and abuse. “No child should be a test subject for unregulated AI,” he stressed.
