United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
GENEVA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for coordinated global action to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) develops in a safe, inclusive and ethical manner that benefits all.
Speaking at the opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres said AI is advancing "at runaway speed" and is already transforming the world.
"The question is whether we will shape this transformation together -- or let it shape us," he said.
Guterres outlined four priorities for AI governance: safety, human rights, capacity and transparency. He said he hoped the Dialogue would translate broad global participation into concrete action, helping make AI "safer, fairer, more accessible and more ethical."
Also on Monday, the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI presented a preliminary report assessing the opportunities, risks and impacts of AI, warning that current safeguards are failing to keep pace with the rapid advancement of AI capabilities.
The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. ■
A participant walks past the logo of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
A participant attends the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
People attend the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
People attend the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6, 2026. The opening of the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance kicked off here on Monday. The two-day Dialogue has brought together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, civil society and the technical community to discuss AI governance. The agenda includes a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events covering AI opportunities and risks, bridging AI divides, international cooperation and human oversight of AI systems. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
