UN Warns Artificial Intelligence May Pose ‘Negative, Even Catastrophic’ Threat to Human Rights

iPal smart AI for robots for children's education are displayed at the AvatarMind booth at the CES 2019 consumer electronics show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 8, 2019. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

The United Nations has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) systems may pose a “negative, even catastrophic” threat to human rights and called for AI applications that are not used in compliance with human rights to be banned.

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Sept. 15 urged members states to put a temporary ban on the sale and use of AI until the potential risks it poses have been addressed and adequate safeguards put in place to ensure the technology will not be abused.