OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is scheduled to brief an open UN Security Council meeting in person next Wednesday on artificial intelligence and international security, according to Reuters. OpenAI says his expected remarks will address international coordination, shared safety standards and the company’s efforts to ensure that people around the world benefit from AI.

Source: OpenAI's Sam Altman to brief UN Security Council next week · reuters.com

The meeting is planned during the annual gathering of world leaders in New York for the UN General Assembly. France, which holds the Security Council presidency for September, convened the session. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot is expected to chair it.

What Altman is expected to discuss

An OpenAI spokesperson told Reuters that Altman’s remarks are expected to focus on the need for countries to coordinate their approach to AI and develop shared safety standards. The spokesperson also said he is expected to discuss steps OpenAI is taking to ensure that the benefits of AI reach people globally.

Those are expected themes, not a record of remarks already delivered. The supplied report does not say what standards OpenAI will propose, whether governments will endorse them or what action the Security Council may take after the meeting.

Why the Security Council is discussing AI

The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. France’s concept note says the meeting will examine the risk that AI could be misused for malicious purposes and stresses the need for safe and responsible development for the international community.

The note specifically refers to risks involving a loss of control and the use of advanced AI models to develop, facilitate or conduct actions that could affect international security and peace. That places the discussion in a security and governance context rather than treating it as a general technology demonstration.

The Council previously discussed the risks of AI for the first time in 2023. During that meeting, China warned that the technology should not become a “runaway horse,” while the United States raised concerns about AI being used to censor or repress people.

Will Anthropic also attend?

Diplomats told Reuters that Anthropic might also have a high-level presence at the meeting, but its participation had not been confirmed. Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the report.

The possible attendance of another major AI company would add to the industry perspective in the discussion, but it should not be treated as a confirmed part of the programme. The supplied report also does not provide a full list of expected participants.

The meeting’s eventual remarks, decisions and any agreements were not available in the report. For now, the confirmed picture is a planned Security Council session chaired by France, with Altman expected to brief members on international AI coordination, shared safety standards and OpenAI’s stated efforts to pursue global benefit.