2 November 2026, New York, United States - More than 50 policy and technical experts gathered on 21 October to examine how governments and international organizations can address security risks arising from the proliferation and potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly by malicious non-State actors. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened the discussion during the First Committee of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Discussions highlighted the limitations of existing non-proliferation regimes and export control frameworks in addressing AI's rapid development, global accessibility, and dual-use applications. Participants examined how these challenges complicate efforts to monitor the development, transfer, and potential misuse of AI capabilities, particularly as the technology becomes increasingly accessible to malicious non-State actors.
Speakers explored potential technical and policy responses to these challenges, emphasizing the need for stronger international cooperation, information sharing, and actionable policy recommendations to support responsible AI governance. The discussion also underscored the importance of equipping Member States and public officials with the knowledge and skills needed to engage effectively in international discussions on emerging technologies and their implications for international peace and security.
UNITAR
UNITAR
The event, titled “Non-Proliferation of AI: A Roadmap for Action”, featured a panel of experts, including Dr. Rosario Uceda-Sosa, Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center; Mr. Paddy Ginn, Senior Expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime; Ms. Xiaohong Li, Representative of the UNODC New York Liaison Office; and Mr. Steven Siqueira, Deputy Director of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).
Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr. Alexander Kmentt, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations Office in Geneva; Dr. Robin Geiss, Director of UNIDIR; and Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, Director of UNITAR's Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and Head of the UNITAR Representation Office in New York.