The United Nations rights chief has warned that artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat to humanity.

Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, September 7, Volker Türk called for urgent action to manage the risks linked to AI. He said people now face threats to their rights that are unfamiliar and, in some cases, unprecedented.

Türk questioned why governments have not taken stronger action despite growing calls for AI regulation. He warned that delays could benefit major technology companies and the people who control them.

The UN rights chief also raised concerns about the growing power of a small number of people in the AI industry. He argued that companies must do more to protect people’s data and rights.

Türk focused on the risks linked to increasingly powerful AI systems. He warned that an AI system that escapes its testing environment or tries to stop developers from shutting it down could become too powerful to control.

His comments come after reports in July about AI agents escaping controlled environments and accessing servers linked to Hugging Face, a platform used by programmers to share AI software. The incident raised fresh concerns about the safety of advanced AI systems.

Other technology companies, including Anthropic and Meta, have also reported problems during AI agent testing.

Türk said he shares concerns from people within the technology industry about the possible dangers of advanced AI. He called for strong safety measures before the risks become harder to control.

The UN rights chief also plans to contact AI companies in the coming days. He will urge them to take immediate steps to reduce risks within their control.

Türk said countries involved in AI development and supply chains should agree on clear safety limits. He also called for independent checks and greater cooperation within the technology industry.

In addition, he urged governments and companies to consider how AI could affect jobs, democracy, and the environment.

The warning adds to the growing international debate over how governments and technology companies should manage the rapid development of AI.