Guterres Issues Global Warning: Artificial Intelligence and the 'Law of the Strong' Threaten the Rights System
February 23, 202680 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the rise of what he described as the 'Law of the Strong', stating that the world is witnessing a widespread attack on human rights, driven by power politics and fueled by the unregulated uses of technology, foremost among them artificial intelligence.
Fiery Speech in Geneva
In the opening of a new session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres emphasized that this regression is not happening in secret, but 'in broad daylight', pointing out that the rule of law is being crushed under the weight of domination logic, in a scene that threatens the foundations on which the international system was built after World War II.
Artificial Intelligence Under Scrutiny
The UN official highlighted the increasing risks of artificial intelligence technologies, considering that they are being used increasingly to suppress marginalized groups and deepen inequality, whether in the digital space or in reality, opening the door to new patterns of discrimination and exclusion.
Democracy in Jeopardy
Guterres criticized what he described as a 'iron grip' that tightens around civil space, noting the imprisonment of journalists and activists, the closure of NGOs, the regression of women's rights, and the targeting of migrants. He stated that democracies are gradually eroding, while international law is treated as a burden that can be ignored.
Two-State Solution... A Fading Horizon
Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Guterres expressed regret over the rising rhetoric that portrays the two-state solution as an unfeasible option, warning that undermining this path threatens regional stability and deepens the cycle of violence.
These warnings come amid a grim international scene, where conflicts are increasing and humanitarian funding is declining, especially after the sharp cuts in U.S. foreign aid enacted by President Donald Trump since his return to the White House, which exacerbates the pressures on the humanitarian system worldwide.
