Turk made the remarks on Monday during his first address to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council since securing a second four-year term in July.

“I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity,” Turk told the council in Geneva.

He called for an “all-out effort” to establish what he described as firm guarantees for AI safety and security.

UN Seeks Stronger AI Safeguards

Turk did not provide detailed examples of the potential dangers. However, a spokesperson for his office said failures involving powerful AI systems could disrupt critical infrastructure, communications and democratic institutions.

The warning comes as governments and technology companies face growing pressure to manage the risks associated with advanced AI.

The UN official also referred to reported incidents involving AI agents and cybersecurity. His office cited the so-called Hugging Face incident in July as an example of concerns surrounding autonomous AI behaviour.

According to the spokesperson, the incident raised questions about whether frontier AI capabilities are developing faster than safety measures.

Turk also warned that a small number of individuals hold enormous influence over the development of advanced AI.

“At a minimum, we need countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains to come together around agreed red lines,” he said.

Major AI companies include Meta, Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

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Turk Raises Concerns Over US Immigration Detention

Turk also called for accountability over deaths in US immigration custody.

He said around 23 people had died in immigration custody in the United States so far this year. He also expressed concern about reported plans to equip immigration agents with electric shock gloves.

The US Department of Homeland Security has previously said it is committed to maintaining a safe, secure and humane detention environment.

The department’s inspector general is investigating deaths in immigration custody dating back to October 2021.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UN Rights Chief Condemns Autonomous Weapons

Turk also criticised Russia over its intensified attacks on Ukraine.

He expressed concern over reports that Russia had used fully autonomous drones in Ukraine. The reports alleged that the weapons killed three people in August.

“I join calls for the urgent prohibition of weapons that can take lives without human involvement,” Turk said.

Reuters said it had not independently verified the reports. Russia’s diplomatic mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The issue of autonomous weapons remains under discussion in Geneva, where governments are debating possible restrictions on weapons systems that can operate without direct human control.

Turk Calls for Accountability in Global Conflicts

Turk said more than 60 wars around the world now involve at least one state. He described the figure as the highest recorded level since the Second World War.

The UN rights chief also called for greater scrutiny of businesses and economic interests that contribute to armed conflicts.

“We will not shy away from exposing the shadow players and calling for accountability,” he said.

His comments come as the Human Rights Council examines several major international crises, including the war involving Iran and ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Later this month, the UN human rights office is expected to publish a list of businesses operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that the organisation considers illegal.

Israel rejects that characterisation.