The race to become the next United Nations Secretary-General has brought artificial intelligence governance to the forefront, with six candidates presenting their visions during a town hall debate. The event, held on July 23, saw diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders gather at the UN assembly hall to hear from Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Michelle Bachelet (Chile), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana), Macky Sall (Senegal), and Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica). Uganda's Olara Itunnu later joined the race, though historical precedent suggests that bypassing early debates can hinder consensus-building among Security Council members.
Candidates Clash Over AI Regulation Approach
Rafael Grossi, drawing on his experience at the International Atomic Energy Agency, cautioned against rigid oversight, stating, "Some people say we need an IAEA for AI… but the diffuse way in which models are developed makes that difficult. What we need is a collaborative platform to define behavioral rules together, without stifling innovation — and always keeping the human in the loop." His remarks highlighted the challenge of regulating systems that evolve across borders and industries, with many experts arguing that AI oversight cannot be imposed top-down but must be built through multi-stakeholder platforms that adapt to a decentralised landscape.
Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized the Secretary-General's convening power: "The Secretary-General has to be a convener… governments, private sector, academia. We need a smart mix of measures that give clear rules, but also boost innovation." Analysts like Lauren Kornutick from Gartner noted that these remarks reflect growing calls for the UN to play a central role in shaping global AI standards, amid concerns that fragmented national approaches could hinder oversight and erode trust in emerging technologies.
Experts Warn Voluntary Frameworks Insufficient
Speaking to Legit.ng, AbdulRasheed Hussain, a Nigeria-based policy analyst, argued that collaboration alone is not enough: "I agree with experts who argue for multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together governments, industry, civil society, and academia. Such platforms can adapt to the fast pace of technological change and ensure that diverse voices are included. However, collaboration alone is not enough. Without binding standards and accountability mechanisms, voluntary frameworks risk being ignored by the most powerful actors."
María Fernanda Espinosa, former General Assembly president, spoke with urgency: "There is a revolution happening in front of our eyes… ensuring that AI is used for good, and that the source code of all new technologies is human dignity." Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett warned of youth concerns over jobs and creativity, reflecting World Bank research on automation's impact in developing economies. Former president Macky Sall, speaking in French, leaned towards inclusive multilateralism, cautioning that rapid shifts risk leaving poorer nations behind.
Digital Divide and Youth at Forefront
Rebeca Grynspan, current Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, emphasized the need to speed up AI adoption so that digital divides do not widen further, ensuring that young people, communities, and governments are equipped to harness its benefits. UNESCO and World Bank studies have warned that without inclusive governance, AI could deepen inequality and undermine rights, a concern echoed by many delegates.
By the end of the town hall debate, one truth stood out: the next Secretary-General will have, aside from the task of peacekeeping, the responsibility to guide humanity through the ethical minefield of AI. The debate underscored that AI governance is not a peripheral issue but a defining challenge of our era, requiring a balance between innovation and regulation.
Context: AI Failures in Industry
In a related development, Legit.ng recently reported that Ford rehired hundreds of experienced engineers after AI systems failed to meet expectations in quality control. The US carmaker had introduced AI across parts of its operations, including quality checks, in hopes of cutting costs and boosting productivity, but the technology fell short, illustrating the practical challenges of AI implementation.
