United Nations (U.N.) chief Antonio Guterres warned technology leaders on Thursday (February 19, 2026) of the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying its future cannot be left to “the whims of a few billionaires”. Speaking at a global AI summit in India, the U.N. chief called on tech tycoons to support a $3 billion global fund to ensure open access to the fast-advancing technology for all. Mr. Guterres warned that people must be protected from exploitation, and that “no child should be a test subject for unregulated AI”. He pressed for global guardrails to ensure oversight and accountability, and the creation of “Global Fund on AI” to build basic capacity. He also cautioned that as AI’s energy and water demands soar, data centres must switch to clean power, rather than “shift costs to vulnerable communities”.

Source: The Hindu February 19, 2026 19:14 UTC