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The declaration comes amid growing international debate over how to regulate increasingly powerful AI systems while allowing the technology to continue driving scientific research, economic growth and innovation. (AFP)
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News18•22-09-2026, 08:34
20 Nations Demand Tighter AI Controls: Humans Must Stay in Driver's Seat
  • •A coalition of 20 countries, led by Finland and Norway, is advocating for stronger international oversight of advanced AI systems, emphasizing human control.
  • •The declaration, backed by 22 leaders including Germany, Canada, and Singapore, stresses that AI must remain under human direction and adhere to international law.
  • •Signatories urge AI companies to implement transparent safety protocols, including mandatory testing and independent risk evaluation before deployment.
  • •The initiative calls for UN member states to consider establishing an international institution to set standards and facilitate verification for AI systems.
  • •While the US, China, UK, and France are not part of this appeal, the declaration remains open for endorsement by other countries to ensure AI benefits are widespread.

Key Questions Answered

The call for stronger international oversight of frontier AI was launched by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.

The United States and China are not part of the initiative, despite being leading global centres for AI research and development. Additionally, the United Kingdom and France have not joined the appeal so far.

The signatories are urging AI companies to implement transparent safety protocols, which include mandatory testing prior to deploying powerful systems and independent evaluations to assess potential risks.