A new United Nations (UN) report has found that the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence are enormous if deployed and applied thoughtfully, but the UN warns that rapid, unchecked deployment of the technology at scale also presents considerable risks.
That is among the findings of a preliminary report released by the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.
The first report produced by the 40-person panel of scientists and experts that includes University of Pretoria Professor Vukosi Marivate, produced findings across several key domains including the advances in AI and trajectories, its societal applications for example in science, health and education, but also the economic, human rights and governance implications among others.
It warns that while AI makes it easier to produce and target persuasive content, the gap between rapidly improving capabilities and effective risk management methods may lead to catastrophic outcomes.
It also sounds the alarm that the concentration of AI capabilities in a small number of firms and countries could enable authoritarian captures and undermine democratic accountability.
The Independent Scientific Panel on AI has just released its first assessment on the promises & risks of artificial intelligence.
The message is clear: The more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments & people will have in the outcome.
I urge countries not to…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 1, 2026
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