UN experts urge science-based approach to AI risk debate
UN experts warned on Sept 21 against apocalyptic rhetoric on AI risks, urging a scientific approach over fear-based messaging. The warning came from members of the International Scientific Panel on AI during a UN General Assembly event in New York. Google DeepMind executive Joelle Barral said investing in fear is unhelpful, while Nobel laureate Maria Ressa called the debate overly polarized between existential doom and dismissal. Panel co-chair Yoshua Bengio stressed distinguishing known risks from plausible extrapolations, advocating for rational global discussion. The panel, created in 2025 with members selected in February 2026, aims to advance AI understanding for UN deliberations. Recent comments by former AI employees, including claims that AI could kill humanity by decade's end, prompted the response.