AI Safety and Iran War Dominate UN Agenda as World Leaders Gather in New York

 

New York, September 23, 2026 — Artificial intelligence safety and the ongoing conflict involving Iran are emerging as two of the central issues at the United Nations this week, as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The discussions come at a time of growing concern over the rapid development of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems, alongside continuing uncertainty surrounding the war involving Iran and its wider economic and geopolitical consequences.

AI Leaders to Address UN Security Council

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a high-level briefing on artificial intelligence and international security on Wednesday.

Among those expected to brief the 15-member council are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Hugging Face co-founder Clément Delangue and Canadian AI researcher Yoshua Bengio, co-chair of the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. France, which holds the Security Council presidency during September, is convening the meeting.

The discussion is expected to focus on the security implications of increasingly capable AI systems, including concerns about whether advanced systems could eventually operate in ways that are difficult for humans or governments to control.

One issue being discussed is the possibility that interactions between automated systems could contribute to serious cyber or international-security incidents. A European diplomat cited by Reuters said the meeting is intended to examine practical risks associated with AI and international security.

Debate Over How AI Should Be Regulated

The UN discussion reflects a growing international debate over how governments should respond to rapidly advancing AI technology.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger safeguards and international cooperation, while US President Donald Trump has argued against what he describes as excessive global restrictions on AI development.

Trump has emphasized continued US investment in AI and said Washington should encourage technological development rather than impose broad controls. Meanwhile, several governments have been calling for international principles and safety measures covering advanced AI systems.

The differences highlight a broader question facing policymakers: how to encourage technological innovation while addressing potential security, cyber and societal risks.

Iran War Adds Geopolitical Pressure

Alongside AI, the conflict involving Iran is expected to remain a major subject during the UN gathering.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday, accusing the United States and Israel of attacking Iran and presenting his country as defending itself. His remarks came amid continuing diplomatic efforts and tensions surrounding the conflict.

The conflict has also created economic consequences beyond the immediate region. Energy markets, shipping routes, aviation and international trade remain areas of concern as governments assess the broader effects of the war.

Recent US sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector have already contributed to the cancellation or suspension of some international flights, although routes to several destinations remain operational.

Global Economic Impact in Focus

The combination of geopolitical instability and uncertainty in energy markets is adding another layer to the discussions taking place at the UN.

Countries dependent on stable energy supplies and international shipping are closely watching developments in the Middle East. Any prolonged disruption could have consequences for fuel prices, transportation costs, trade and inflation in economies far beyond the region.

At the same time, governments are attempting to address AI as a long-term international-security issue rather than solely as a technology or commercial matter.

A UN Agenda Shaped by Multiple Crises

The 81st UN General Assembly is therefore bringing together several major global challenges at once, including armed conflict, economic uncertainty, climate change and technological risks.

The AI Security Council meeting provides governments with an opportunity to discuss common safeguards and international coordination, while the diplomatic activity surrounding Iran demonstrates the continuing role of the United Nations as a forum for international dialogue.

How governments balance technological innovation with AI safety—and how diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran develop—will remain closely watched as the UN meetings continue.

Source note: This article is independently written from current reporting and publicly available information. It does not reproduce France 24's original wording.