U.S. breaks with UN on global AI oversight

U.S. officials rejected a push to establish a global AI governance framework at this week’s United Nations General Assembly, despite the plan enjoying broad support from many world nations, including China.

At a Security Council debate on Wednesday, Michael Kratsios, the director of the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, said that Washington “totally” rejected all efforts by international organizations to “assert centralized control and global governance of AI.” 

The meeting marked the first time that all 193 UN member states have been able to weigh in on AI governance. It comes after an August 2025 UN resolution—which members unanimously endorsed—urging the UN to lay the groundwork for global AI governance and calling on governments to work together to protect human rights in the wake of widespread AI use.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that AI presented a real and present risk to humanity. 

“AI is no longer a distant horizon—it is here, transforming daily life, the information space, and the global economy at breathtaking speed,” Guterres said. “The ability to fabricate and manipulate audio and video threatens information integrity, fuels polarisation and can trigger diplomatic crises . . . humanity’s fate cannot be left to an algorithm.”

U.S. AI stance puts emphasis on diffusion

At the meeting, Kratsios said that Washington believed that “the responsible diffusion of AI will help pave the way to a flourishing future, one of increased productivity, empowered individuals, and revolutions in scientific advancement.” 

“The path to this world is found not in bureaucratic management, but in the freedom and duty of citizens, the prudence and cooperation of statesmen, and the independence and sovereignty of nations,” he added.

The remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald The President said in his speech to the General Assembly that the country is working on developing its own safety measures, and that the White House is “pioneering an AI verification system that everyone can trust,” specifically to enforce the Biological Weapons Convention. 

“Hopefully, the UN can play a constructive role, and it will also be one of the early projects under AI,” The President said.

The U.S. stance is a notable break from other world powers, and particularly China. Also on Wednesday, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ma Zhaoxu, expressed support for the UN’s proposed governance framework.

“It is vital to jointly foster an open, inclusive, fair and nondiscriminatory environment for technological development and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism,” Ma said. 

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