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AI must not replace human potential, but augment it: UN chief
Making AI accessible and democratising it was a recurring theme in Guterres’ speech
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IANS - Thu, 19, Feb 2026
- 01:15 EST
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UN Secretary-General speaks at the inauguration of India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday, February 19, 2026. / IANS
Warning about the challenges of artificial intelligence, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Feb. 19 that AI must not replace human potential, but supplement it.
“We must invest in workers, so AI augments human potential — not replaces it,” he said, addressing a major fear about AI.
At the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, he called for tackling the looming social, economic and ecological problems arising from the proliferation of AI.
ALSO READ: UN chief Guterres praises India's leadership
“Real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet,” he said. “So, let’s build AI for everyone — with dignity as the default setting.”
On the impact on global warming and the environment, he said, “As AI’s energy and water demands soar, data centres and supply chains must switch to clean power — not shift costs to vulnerable communities.”
He emphasised that “AI must be safe for everyone.” That requires protecting “people from exploitation, manipulation and abuse,” he said.
Amid controversies over the deleterious effects of social media on children, he looked ahead to AI and said, “No child should be a test subject for unregulated AI.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who took over the presidency of the G7, the group of major industrialised democracies, referred to Guterres’ call to protect children.
“One of our G7 priorities will be, as well, children's protection against AI and digital abuse,” he said.
“You just mentioned it, Mr. Secretary-General, there is no reason our children should be exposed online to what is legally forbidden in the real world,” he said.
Making AI accessible and democratising it was a recurring theme in Guterres’ speech before presidents, prime ministers and CEOs of tech giants.
“AI must belong to everyone,” he said, while pointing to the risk of countries and peoples being marooned from the promises of the technology.
“Without investment, many countries will be logged out of the AI age,” he said.
He reiterated his call for a Global Fund on AI — this time setting a goal of $3 billion — “to build basic capacity everywhere: skills, data, affordable computing power and inclusive ecosystems.”
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The $3 billion, he said, is less than 1 percent of the annual revenue of a single tech company.
That is “a small price for AI diffusion that benefits all — including the businesses building AI,” he said.
Microsoft, which ranks fourth among tech companies in annual revenues, takes in $305 billion every year.
While AI can “deepen inequality, amplify bias and fuel harm,” done right, it has immense potential for bettering humanity, Guterres said.
It can advance the UN’s overarching Sustainable Development Goals, accelerate medical breakthroughs, strengthen food security, bolster climate action and disaster preparedness, improve access to vital public services and expand education, he said.
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