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Lula Calls for UN-Led AI Governance to Prevent Tech Domination

President Lula da Silva called for urgent multilateral governance of artificial intelligence at a summit in New Delhi, warning that unchecked technological expansion risks deepening global inequalities and concentrating power. He highlighted AI's dual potential to enhance public services and security while also enabling harmful practices like election disinformation and labor exploitation. Lula criticized the current concentration of computing infrastructure and data ownership in a few conglomerates, framing it as a form of domination rather than innovation. He concluded by stressing the United Nations must be the central platform for inclusive global regulation to ensure AI strengthens democracy and equitable development.

Key Points: Lula Urges UN-Led Global AI Rules at India Summit

  • Urgent need for multilateral AI governance
  • AI can boost productivity but also spread disinformation
  • Warns of power concentration in few tech firms
  • Links regulation to human rights and privacy protection
  • Highlights Brazil's domestic AI plan and UN's central role
2 min read

President Lula highlights need for balanced AI Governance at India Summit

Brazil's President Lula warns unchecked AI deepens inequality, distorts elections, and calls for inclusive UN governance to protect democracy.

President Lula highlights need for balanced AI Governance at India Summit
"When a few control algorithms and digital infrastructure, it is not innovation but domination. - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva"

New Delhi, February 19

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday urged the creation of multilateral global governance for artificial intelligence while addressing the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit in New Delhi. He cautioned that unchecked technological expansion could deepen inequalities and concentrate power in a few countries and corporations.

Describing humanity as standing at a "crossroads", Lula said the rapid advance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution coincides with weakening multilateral cooperation, making international rules urgent. Artificial intelligence, he noted, can boost productivity, healthcare, public services and food and energy security, but also enable harmful practices such as disinformation, autonomous weapons and exploitation of labour.

He warned that AI-generated false content can distort elections and threaten democratic systems. Algorithms, he added, should not be viewed as neutral codes but as part of a broader power structure capable of reinforcing economic dominance if left unregulated.

A central theme of his address was the concentration of computing infrastructure and data ownership. According to the president, information produced by citizens, companies and governments is increasingly appropriated by a small number of conglomerates without fair economic return to originating societies. "When a few control algorithms and digital infrastructure, it is not innovation but domination," he said.

Lula linked the regulation of large technology firms to the protection of human rights, privacy and creative industries, arguing that current business models rely heavily on personal data exploitation and sensationalist content that fuels political radicalisation.

He highlighted Brazil's domestic efforts, including legislative discussions on attracting data-centre investment and the 2025 national AI plan aimed at improving public services and generating employment.

Internationally, Lula referred to initiatives under BRICS, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and other forums, but stressed that the United Nations must remain the central platform for inclusive global regulation.

Concluding, he praised India's intellectual traditions and said ethical reflection would be essential to ensure artificial intelligence strengthens democracy, social cohesion and equitable development worldwide.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see this being discussed at a summit in Delhi. The point about data ownership hits home. Our personal data is the new oil, and right now it's being extracted by foreign tech giants. India needs strong data protection laws AND a seat at the global rule-making table.
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Aman W
While I agree with the sentiment, we must be careful. Too much multilateral regulation could stifle innovation. Indian startups are doing amazing things with AI. Any governance model must have flexibility for developing economies to grow their tech ecosystems. Balance is key.
S
Sarah B
The warning about AI distorting elections is so timely. We've seen what can happen. International cooperation on this is not a luxury, it's a necessity for preserving democracy everywhere. Proud to see India hosting this crucial conversation.
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Vikram M
"When a few control algorithms... it is not innovation but domination." Powerful words. This is the core issue. Whether it's social media feeds or search results, the power is too concentrated. BRICS nations like India and Brazil must lead in creating a more equitable digital world.
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Kavya N
I appreciate that he linked this to human rights and privacy. In our rush to adopt AI, we cannot forget the human cost—job losses, bias in algorithms, surveillance. India's intellectual tradition of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is the perfect ethical foundation for this. 🙏

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