UN assembly: Leaders slam UN, AI risks and wars dominate speeches

The 81st UN General Assembly featured sharp criticism of the organization itself, alongside concerns over artificial intelligence and military tensions, with leaders delivering notable and unusual speeches. An analysis of 70 speeches showed peace and security dominated all addresses, while 55 countries demanded UN reform, 59 cited climate change as an existential threat, and 49 discussed AI risks. Ukrainian President Zelensky called Putin the "patient zero" of war, while Trump threatened to "annihilate" Iran. Argentine President Milei called the UN "useless" and run by "parasites," while Brazil's Lula criticized "techno-oligarchs" and defended AI regulation. Nauru's president requested the world use the country's original name, Naoero, and Bhutan's prime minister presented himself as a "salesman" for a new city project.