Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of the UK, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2026, urging world leaders to unite in preventing artificial intelligence (AI) from posing a threat to humanity. In his speech, he emphasized the need for global action in light of warnings regarding the rapid development of AI technology. Burnham stated that the future of AI is too significant to be left solely to the private sector and called for the establishment of common global regulations.
His comments come in contrast to former President Donald Trump's opposition to AI regulation, which he has labeled as a 'hoax' that undermines US firms' competitive edge in AI development. Burnham highlighted recent alarming warnings from tech industry leaders, including a statement from Anthropic's head of alignment, who suggested a 10% chance that AI could 'kill all humans' within the next decade. OpenAI chief Sam Altman is scheduled to speak at the UN following Burnham's address.
In his remarks, Burnham acknowledged AI's potential to transform economies and address health issues, such as cancer, if properly regulated. He expressed concern over the disruptions AI could cause in daily life and the associated risks, stating, 'We know that AI will also be a source of disruption to the way we live and work – and a multiplier of risk.' He called for elected governments to make fundamental decisions regarding AI, ensuring that it serves the interests of working people.
Burnham also referenced a recent incident where the UK's AI Security Institute was denied access to Anthropic's latest AI program, advocating for the establishment of a National Centre for Information Defence to counter disinformation and manipulation by hostile states. He positioned the UK as a potential leader in AI safety, stating, 'We are going to step into that role.' He likened the current situation to the global financial crisis, urging a collaborative approach to address the challenges and opportunities presented by frontier AI. Burnham concluded by advocating for a unified set of global principles and standards to ensure safe AI development.