Leaders call for global AI safety regulations at UN General Assembly

On September 22, 2026, a coalition of 22 leaders from 20 countries and the European Union signed a joint declaration at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, demanding stricter international oversight and binding safety guarantees for artificial intelligence. The signatories emphasize that AI must remain under human guidance and supervision, warning of significant security risks if systems are mismanaged.

The initiative proposes mandatory pre-release testing for AI products and independent expert evaluations to ensure transparency. This call for action follows recent cybersecurity threats, specifically referencing a malicious AI-driven attack on the Hugging Face platform. Participating nations include Norway, Finland, Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and Kenya, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also supporting the measure.

Contrasting views have emerged regarding this approach, as U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong opposition to any regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence. The potential impact of AI on job security and global cybersecurity is slated as a primary topic of discussion throughout the ongoing UN General Assembly session this week.