UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that artificial intelligence is progressing rapidly while protections and regulations lag behind, leaving the world vulnerable to serious unintended consequences.

Speaking in remarks reported from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Guterres said every new interaction of generative AI increases the risk of unintended outcomes. He argued that the international community is struggling with a “paradox” in which threats—from climate change to AI—are escalating, yet societies lack effective global strategies and shared guardrails to manage them.

Guterres said AI could deliver major benefits, including helping tackle real-world problems, but without regulation it can also worsen inequalities and enable abuses such as disinformation. He urged political and business leaders to prioritize a global approach to risk management and standards—warning that the window to shape AI for the public good is narrowing.