Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for stronger international cooperation to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from becoming another front in the global arms race, stressing that human judgment and control must remain central to the development and deployment of the technology.
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Addressing a UN Security Council briefing on artificial intelligence and international security on Thursday, Dar said AI was rapidly transforming societies, economies and security systems, with significant implications for international and regional peace and stability.
Dar described AI as a force multiplier and a cross-cutting dual-use technology that is contributing to a new chapter in modern warfare.
He said the foremost priority should be to retain human judgment and control at every stage of AI design, development and integration.
According to Dar, humans should remain responsible for defining the structures of AI systems and determining limits on the speed and nature of their future capabilities.
Pakistan Warns Against AI Arms Race
The foreign minister called for international efforts to ensure that AI does not become another facet of the ongoing arms race.
He said guardrails, regulations and effective governance frameworks were needed to manage the risks associated with the technology.
In the military domain, Dar called for restraint and confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of miscalculation and increasingly compressed decision-making.
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Statement by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the UN Security Council Briefing on Artificial Intelligence and International Security
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The UN briefing came amid broader international debate over the potential security risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems. UN discussions have highlighted both the potential benefits of AI and concerns about its military and security applications.
Calls for Inclusive AI Development
Dar also cautioned against allowing AI development to become concentrated in the hands of a small number of countries or companies.
He said international collaboration was necessary to ensure that AI development remained representative, transparent and inclusive.
He further warned that efforts to control the pace of AI development should not create a new form of technological exclusion.
According to Dar, if a small group determines the pace of AI development while other countries are restricted from accessing the technology, existing global technological and economic divides could widen.
“The risks of uncontrolled AI would be borne by all; decisions on how to manage them cannot rest with a handful of companies or capitals,” Dar said.
Misinformation and Cyber Threats
The deputy prime minister also highlighted misinformation, fake news and cyberattacks as challenges that could be intensified by AI.
He specifically referred to potential attacks on critical infrastructure by both state and non-state actors.
Dar called for concrete international action to address gaps and challenges associated with AI that could have implications for international peace and security.
UN Role in AI Governance
Dar stressed the need to avoid fragmentation in global AI governance.
He said issues surrounding the development and deployment of AI, as well as its broader implications, should be addressed through open, representative and inclusive forums with universal participation under UN auspices.
He welcomed the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, saying Pakistan supported collaborative international efforts to maximise the benefits of AI while addressing its risks.
Pakistan has also highlighted the importance of international cooperation on AI governance in previous UN discussions, including calls for responsible use of AI in military applications and greater access for developing countries.
Pakistan Highlights WAICO Initiative
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s participation as a founding member of China’s initiative to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO).
He described the initiative as a step towards promoting the development of artificial intelligence “for good, and for all”.
The foreign minister said Pakistan would continue supporting international cooperation aimed at reducing the global AI divide and promoting equitable access to the technology.
Focus on Confidence-Building Measures
Dar also stressed the importance of confidence-building measures for maintaining international and regional peace and security.
He said practical mechanisms were required to reduce mistrust, prevent accidental escalation and manage risks associated with military and foundational AI systems.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan‘s commitment to advancing international cooperation on AI and said Islamabad would work with UN member states to help bridge the global AI divide and promote the use of technology for peace and development.
