Artificial Intelligence
The impact we seek: AI becomes primarily a force for good, developed in the public interest and governed by governments.
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The Issue
Artificial Intelligence holds enormous potential for people and the planet. But the risks it poses are wide-ranging and profound, from deadlier warfare, misinformation, mass unemployment, environmental problems, worsening inequality, and existential threats such as AI-enabled nuclear and biological weapons. These dangers are being amplified by inadequate governance, as a small number of private actors drive AI development while governments and global institutions fail to regulate it in the public interest.
“There is nothing inevitable about how AI develops. Who it benefits and harms is a shared global challenge, not a race between a handful of countries or companies."
Juan Manuel Santos
Chair of The Elders
Former President of Colombia & Nobel Peace Laureate
Our Priorities
The Elders see the AI governance crisis as a failure of political leadership and international cooperation, not a technical challenge. We want to see action on the following:
The UN Security Council meets on AI and International Peace and Security. Photo: UN Photo / Eric Kanalstein
Governments assume responsibility to protect people from AI threats
The Elders will speak forthrightly about the urgent need for political and collective leadership on AI governance, calling on governments to take responsibility for the protection of people and to work towards a global norm-setting body. They will also press governments to collectively subject AI to the rule of law: enforcing, strengthening, and establishing legal frameworks.
Governments work together and with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure safe and inclusive use of AI
The Elders will engage with the private sector, AI summits, AI safety institutes, scientists, the UN, and groups of countries seeking a fairer AI future. They will also engage with frontier AI companies and researchers, as well as those currently marginalised in AI governance debates, from lower-income countries to human rights and environmental advocates.
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock
The military use of AI is governed by international law
The Elders will advocate for the military use of AI to be governed by international law, including the integration of commercial AI in military operations, and will support efforts to conclude negotiations on a legally- binding instrument on autonomous weapons.
Governments assume responsibility to protect people from AI threats
The Elders will speak forthrightly about the urgent need for political and collective leadership on AI governance, calling on governments to take responsibility for the protection of people and to work towards a global norm-setting body. They will also press governments to collectively subject AI to the rule of law: enforcing, strengthening, and establishing legal frameworks.
The UN Security Council meets on AI and International Peace and Security. Photo: UN Photo / Eric Kanalstein
Governments work together and with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure safe and inclusive use of AI
The Elders will engage with the private sector, AI summits, AI safety institutes, scientists, the UN, and groups of countries seeking a fairer AI future. They will also engage with frontier AI companies and researchers, as well as those currently marginalised in AI governance debates, from lower-income countries to human rights and environmental advocates.
Photo: Shutterstock
The military use of AI is governed by international law
The Elders will advocate for the military use of AI to be governed by international law, including the integration of commercial AI in military operations, and will support efforts to conclude negotiations on a legally- binding instrument on autonomous weapons.
Photo: Shutterstock
Our Approach
The Elders will provide a moral voice on this issue, informed by experience of how complex challenges are governed globally. Through our convening power and commitment to long-term thinking, we will help bridge divides, encourage cooperation and support ambitious collective action.
“World leaders have a responsibility to ensure that AI is used in ways that are safe, transparent and accountable. These are not just technological or commercial issues, but political and moral imperatives affecting everyone.”
Mary Robinson
Member of The Elders
First woman President of Ireland