The United Nations has warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly blurring the boundaries between civilian technologies and military applications, creating new challenges for international peace and security.
Speaking at a UN event on AI ethics and security, Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, stressed that advances in AI models, computing power, and autonomous systems are driving innovation while also expanding military capabilities. She cautioned that discussions on AI governance can no longer be separated from debates on international security.
The UN highlighted growing concerns over the use of AI in intelligence gathering, autonomous weapons systems, and battlefield decision-making. Experts warned that without clear international rules, AI could intensify geopolitical competition, increase the risks to civilian infrastructure, and make it more difficult to determine responsibility when AI-enabled systems cause harm.
UN officials also emphasized that governments, technology companies, researchers, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors must work together to establish common standards for the responsible development and deployment of AI. Strengthening global governance, they argue, is essential to ensuring that artificial intelligence serves humanity rather than becoming a source of conflict.
As AI technologies continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the UN is urging the international community to act before regulatory gaps become security threats, ensuring that innovation advances alongside accountability, transparency, and respect for international law.
