Urgent Need for Global AI Regulation, Says UN Tech Chief

The world faces a critical moment in the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI), and a unified global regulatory approach is urgently needed to manage its risks and share its benefits equitably, according to Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

In an interview with AFP, Bogdan-Martin expressed hope that AI can “actually benefit humanity”, but warned that without coordinated regulation, the technology could deepen inequalities, accelerate disinformation, and strain the very fabric of society.

“There’s an urgency to try to get the right framework in place… A global approach is critical,” she said.

Diverging Approaches: US, EU, China

Bogdan-Martin’s remarks followed the announcement of US President Donald Trump’s AI strategy, which focuses on deregulation to maintain an edge over China in the global AI race. The plan, containing over 90 proposals, aims to remove “red tape” that might restrict private-sector innovation.

She refrained from directly criticising the US approach, noting instead:

“We have the EU approach. We have the Chinese approach. Now we’re seeing the US approach. What’s needed is for those approaches to dialogue.”

At present, 85% of countries still lack national AI strategies, leaving much of the world unprepared to shape or respond to AI’s rapid advancement.

Comparing Global Approaches

“We still need a global debate about how much regulation is too much — or too little,” Bogdan-Martin said.

The Risks of Fragmentation

The ITU chief warned that uncoordinated, fragmented regulatory approaches risk creating uneven playing fields, enabling some countries and corporations to surge ahead while others are left behind.

“Fragmented approaches will not help serve and reach all,” she cautioned.

As companies and governments race to dominate the AI sector, the risk grows that ethics, safety, and inclusion will be sacrificed for speed and profit.

Widening Digital Divide

One of Bogdan-Martin’s chief concerns is that AI could come to stand for “advancing inequalities” if action is not taken to close the digital divide.

Digital Inequality Snapshot

“If you don’t have internet access, you don’t have access to AI,” she emphasised.

She also called attention to the need for greater gender inclusion in tech and AI development:

“We have a huge gap. We definitely don’t have enough women in artificial intelligence.”

Leading the Way at the ITU

Bogdan-Martin, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General in the ITU’s nearly 160-year history, acknowledged both the honour and pressure of the role:

“It’s not just about achieving, it’s about almost overachieving.”

Now 59, and a mother of four, she is being backed by the Trump administration for re-election when her current four-year term ends next year.

“There is a lot to do,” she said, expressing her desire to continue leading the ITU through a critical moment in technological governance.

The Path Forward

While praising the “mind-blowing” potential of AI in areas such as education, healthcare, and agriculture, Bogdan-Martin insisted that without a shared regulatory vision, its benefits may never reach the most vulnerable.

“We must ensure that AI works for all of humanity — not just the privileged few.”

Her call for global cooperation signals the growing recognition that AI is no longer just a technological issue — it’s a diplomatic, ethical, and developmental imperative.