EXCLUSIVE: OpenAI's Sam Altman to brief UN Security Council next week | ReutersSkip to main contentExclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitivWorldBrowse WorldAfricaAmericasAsia PacificChinaEuropeIndiaIran WarIsrael and Hamas at WarJapanMiddle EastReuters/Ipsos PollsUkraine and Russia at WarUnited KingdomUnited StatesU.S. Midterm ElectionsReuters NEXTBusinessBrowse BusinessAerospace & DefenseAutos & TransportationDavosEnergyEnvironmentFinanceHealthcare & PharmaceuticalsMedia & TelecomRetail & ConsumerFuture of HealthFuture of MoneyTake FiveWorld at WorkMarketsBrowse MarketsOn the MoneyAsian MarketsCarbon MarketsCommoditiesCurrenciesDealsEmerging MarketsETFsEuropean MarketsFundsEcon WorldGlobal Market DataRates & BondsStocksU.S. MarketsWealthSustainabilityBrowse SustainabilityBoards, Policy & RegulationClimate & EnergyLand Use & BiodiversitySociety & EquitySustainable Finance & ReportingThe SwitchReuters ImpactCOP31MoreLegalGovernmentLegal IndustryLitigationTransactionalUS Supreme CourtCommentaryBreakingviewsROI: Reuters Open InterestTechnologyArtificial IntelligenceCybersecuritySpaceDisruptedInvestigationsSportsWorld CupAthleticsBaseballBasketballCricketCyclingFormula 1GolfNFLNHLSoccerTennisScienceLifestyleCulture CurrentCity MemoGraphicsChart of the WeekPicturesWider ImagePodcastsReuters World NewsReuters Morning BidReuters Econ WorldOn AssignmentViewsroomThe Big ViewLiveFact CheckVideoMedia CenterAnnouncementsAwardsInside the NewsroomPeople NewsSponsored ContentReuters PlusPress ReleasesSubscribeEXCLUSIVEOpenAI's Sam Altman to brief UN Security Council next weekBy Michelle Nichols and John IrishSeptember 18, 20268:27 PM UTCUpdated agoTextSmall TextMedium TextLarge TextXFacebookLinkedinEmailLinkItem 1 of 2 OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks at Dreamforce 2026 summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., September 15, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Barria[1/2]OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks at Dreamforce 2026 summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., September 15, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tabSummaryCompaniesUN Security Council due to meet on Wednesday on AI and international securityAnthropic may also attend, diplomats say, though participation remains unconfirmedFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to chair the meetingUNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (Reuters) - OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman will brief the United Nations Security Council next week during the annual gathering of world leaders in New York for the UN General Assembly, an OpenAI spokesperson said on Friday.The 15-member Security Council is due to meet ​on Wednesday on artificial intelligence and international security, just weeks after several AI industry leaders called ​for a coordinated slowdown of the development of the increasingly powerful technology, warning that it could ⁠soon improve on its own and slip beyond human control. Sign up here."Sam Altman will brief an open UN Security Council ​meeting in person next week," an OpenAI spokesperson told Reuters.Altman's remarks were expected to focus on the need for ​international coordination and shared safety standards, as well as steps OpenAI is taking to ensure people globally benefit, the spokesperson said.Diplomats said they also expected high-level presence at the meeting from Anthropic, but that it was yet to be confirmed. Anthropic did not ​immediately respond to a request for comment.The Security Council meeting has been convened by France, which is the ​president of the body for September, and will be chaired by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.In a ‌concept ⁠note for the meeting circulated to council members by France and seen by Reuters, it said: "In light of the risk of misuse of this technology for malicious purposes, and drawing on the Council’s existing engagement in this field, France wishes to underline the urgency of action to foster safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence for the ​benefit of the international ​community as a whole."The ⁠UN Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, met for the first time on the risks of artificial intelligence in 2023, when China said the ​technology should not become a "runaway horse" and the United States warned against its use ​to censor or ⁠repress people.Altman has been warning about the risks well before the current AI boom. In a 2015 essay titled "Machine Intelligence, part 1", he said the "development of superhuman machine intelligence is probably the greatest threat to the continued existence of ⁠humanity".France, in ​its concept note, said the meeting aimed to allow participants to "present ​their analysis of the risks linked to loss of control or the use of the latest AI models to develop, facilitate and conduct ​actions with an impact on international security and peace."Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Deepa Seetharaman, Editing by Franklin PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tabSuggested Topics:Artificial IntelligenceXFacebookLinkedinEmailLinkPurchase Licensing RightsRead Next agoBusinesscategoryTen days that changed the course of AI agoWorldcategoryTrump says he will appoint a new AI adviserSeptember 19, 2026BusinesscategoryGemini hacked three companies in first known breakout by Google's AISeptember 19, 2026LegalcategoryDemocrats try to ride data-center backlash to victory agoBusinesscategoryScott Bessent, He Lifeng launch talks on AI, trade and critical minerals agoWorldcategoryWorld leaders return to UN as it struggles to remain relevantBusinessUBS CEO Ermotti warns against harsh capital rules ahead of voteLegalcategory · September 20, 2026 · 7:33 PM UTC · agoUBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti warned lawmakers against imposing excessively strict capital requirements on the Swiss bank in an interview published on Sunday, days before a ​key parliamentary vote.BusinesscategoryFed's Kashkari says inflation is still too high in 'all aspects' of US economy, in Fox News interview3:06 PM UTCBusinesscategoryVolvo Cars appoints Skoda chief Klaus Zellmer as new CEO11:05 AM UTCRetail & ConsumercategoryBillionaires abound in California. 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OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman is scheduled to brief the United Nations Security Council next week during the annual gathering for world leaders in New York. This high-level discussion will center on the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and international security. The Security Council meeting is set to convene on Wednesday and addresses the risks associated with this powerful technology, following calls from several AI industry leaders for a coordinated deceleration in AI development, prompted by concerns that the technology might soon develop autonomy and escape human control.

OpenAI spokespersons indicated that Altman’s remarks are expected to emphasize the necessity for international coordination and the establishment of shared safety standards. Furthermore, the briefing will cover the steps OpenAI is undertaking to ensure that the benefits of this technology are distributed globally. Diplomats have also anticipated the potential presence of Anthropic at the meeting, although their participation remains unconfirmed.

The meeting is being convened by France, which serves as the president of the Security Council for September, and it will be chaired by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot. France’s concept note circulated to council members underscored the urgency of action, drawing on existing engagement in the field to foster the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence for the benefit of the entire international community. This framework aims to allow participants to present their analyses regarding the risks linked to the loss of control or the deployment of advanced AI models, and to facilitate actions that impact international peace and security.

The UN Security Council previously engaged with the risks posed by artificial intelligence in 2023, noting earlier concerns raised by entities such as China regarding the technology not becoming a runaway force, and the United States warning against its use for censorship or repression. Altman’s commentary is situated within a broader context of prior warnings; in a 2015 essay, he articulated the profound concern that the development of superhuman machine intelligence represents perhaps the greatest threat to the continued existence of humanity. Thus, Altman’s involvement in the Security Council briefing signals an attempt to formally address these existential and security implications of advanced AI through a multilateral lens.