Antonio Guterres opened the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday with his final address as the organization’s Secretary-General.
Speaking before a large gathering of world leaders in New York, Guterres warned that divisions around the world are becoming increasingly pronounced.
“The cracks have become canyons… Geopolitical divisions have opened up and inequalities have deepened,” he said.
In his speech, Guterres also highlighted the risks associated with artificial intelligence as concerns continue to grow over the development and use of the technology. He also warned about the consequences of climate change.
“People are increasingly handing over power to machines, while artificial agents are moving beyond control,” Guterres said.
He also raised concerns over the development and potential use of autonomous weapons powered by artificial intelligence.
AI-powered autonomous weapons are moving from “science fiction to military reality,” he warned.
Guterres argued that global institutions and governance systems have struggled to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place in the world.
“Yet our institutions and systems of governance continue to reflect the power realities and interests of an era that largely belongs to the past,” he said.
