Trump admin convenes UN AI event as security concerns intensify
The US will host a high-level artificial intelligence discussion at the UN General Assembly, where OpenAI's Sam Altman is also briefing a Security Council meeting.
What to know
- The Trump administration is hosting a multilateral AI event at the UN next week, the same day as a UN Security Council AI security meeting where OpenAI's Sam Altman will brief.
- Trump has called regulatory concerns about AI a "hoax," creating tension between his administration's regulatory skepticism and the global focus on AI safety risks.
- The UN's formal role in AI governance remains undefined, with disagreement among permanent Security Council members about how to proceed.
- Observers are watching Trump's upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping, where AI is expected to be a major topic.
“If there's a huge AI-generated cyberattack and you're working in a hospital in Zambia or you know a bank in Botswana, and this cyberattack is starting to spill beyond your borders, you don't know what to do, who you're going to call? Well, often it's the UN.”
Claire Melamed, VP for AI and Digital Cooperation, UN Foundation · CNN ↗
Donald Trump US President
Sam Altman OpenAI CEO
Mike Waltz US Ambassador to the UNClaire Melamed VP for AI and Digital Cooperation, UN Foundation
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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background
Trump-Xi meeting expected to address AI as key topic — Melamed noted that observers are particularly awaiting the outcome of Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the following day (Thursday), where AI is expected to be a central topic of discussion.
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UN Security Council meets on AI security with Sam Altman briefing — On the same day as the Trump administration event, the UN Security Council will hold a meeting focused on AI and security risks identified by AI companies and executives. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to brief that meeting.
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background
Trump administration hosts UN AI event on General Assembly sidelines — The US will convene a high-level artificial intelligence event on Wednesday, attended by multiple countries. Ambassador Mike Waltz, Undersecretary Jacob Helberg, and Undersecretary Sarah Rogers will host, framing it as an opportunity to discuss partnering with the US on AI and covering "policy, legal, and regulatory conditions that enable adoption at scale, including free expression considerations."
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UN Foundation VP Melamed says AI agenda unclear at formal UN level
Claire Melamed, Vice President for AI and Digital Cooperation at the United Nations Foundation, stated that while many AI side events are occurring, it remains unclear how much AI will feature in the main formal business of the General Assembly. She does not expect "a firm deliverable" from the Security Council meeting due to divergent positions among permanent members.
“there's increasing interest in the UN having a potential role in crisis management… If there's a huge AI-generated cyberattack and you're working in a hospital in Zambia or you know a bank in Botswana… who you're going to call? Well, often it's the UN.”
— Claire Melamed
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first by CNN, 7d ago · also KRDO, KEYT-TV