Artificial intelligence, migration and demographic change emerged as major themes in the fifth day of the United Nations General Assembly's annual high-level debate, as leaders warned that technological progress could deepen existing inequalities unless governments build stronger safeguards and expand access to skills and infrastructure.
Speakers described artificial intelligence as a technology capable of improving public services and supporting economic development, while warning that its benefits and decision-making power are increasingly concentrated in a small number of countries and companies.
China's Vice President Han Zheng called for AI to be developed for the positive and for good, while Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan argued that governments must invest in infrastructure and skills alongside safeguards, saying human beings must remain in control and accountable.
Jamaica's Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith warned against allowing AI to deepen old inequalities and create an entirely new global divide, while Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Haji Hasan said the Global South should not simply host data centres while decisions about AI are made elsewhere.
Migration was another central issue. Djibouti appealed for support as thousands flee violence in Yemen, the Holy See highlighted the situation of stateless Rohingya, and the Philippines stressed that migrant workers are entitled to human rights protections regardless of status.
Zambia drew attention to Africa's demographic future, noting that by 2050 one in four young people worldwide will be African, arguing that education, skills and decent employment will determine whether this shift becomes a source of wider prosperity.