Statement on ‘Digital@UNGA 2026’ and other AI meetings at the UNGA81

Ahead of the event 'Digital@UNGA 2026' and other AI-focused meetings at the UNGA81, Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar said:

"As high-level meetings focused on AI kick off at the UN, a handful of AI players continue to amass power, wealth and influence, even as many are warning that they need guardrails and regulation because they cannot - or will not - do it themselves. We must take warnings from AI leaders and whistleblowers seriously, and the UN must play a central role in deciding a collective way forward as AI's influence and impact grows every day, with the most marginalized being left behind and paying the price.

"Right now, a tiny number of companies and countries control almost all of the data, infrastructure, and expertise that underpin AI. We're already seeing a widening inequality gap in terms of who has control, who has access, who benefits, and who is forced to live with the deafening drone of AI data centers in their communities.

"We must open the conversation at the UN to ensure civil society, workers, and affected communities and countries of all sizes and influence have seats at the table - not just the powerful few governments and AI leaders who so far have dominated the debate. We must insist it is a conversation that we all can understand and contribute to because the stakes could not be higher for each of us and humanity as a whole.

"Oxfam is calling for governance that is effective, enforceable and upholds our individual & collective human rights. We must see more than conversations - we need actions taken that confront the unequal power the AI industry holds and address the current and potential harms to each of us.

"We know AI holds tremendous potential to help solve some of our most existential collective challenges if it is designed, deployed and controlled responsibly. However, without regulation and accountability, it will only make the current crises of widening inequality, multiplying extreme climate events, and erosion of human rights even more stark. We have no time to waste. AI is advancing exponentially, and we must take collective action before we are too late."