UN Chief Urges Global AI Safety Cooperation Amid Trump Dismissal

On September 16, 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark call for global cooperation on artificial intelligence safety, warning that the world cannot afford a "race to the bottom" in AI development. Speaking to reporters in New York, Guterres emphasized that while national action is essential, global coordination is indispensable because AI risks do not stop at borders. Guterres' remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to Ireland on September 14, dismissed concerns about AI risks as a "HOAX" and claimed efforts to limit the technology are part of a "SICK conspiracy." Trump argued that existing U.S. regulations are sufficient to manage AI threats, positioning his stance against calls for tighter oversight. The UN chief highlighted that frontline AI developers themselves have raised alarms about development racing ahead of understanding the risks. He referenced proposals from industry leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who called for a coordinated slowdown in AI development. This position was supported by OpenAI's Sam Altman and SpaceXAI's Elon Musk.