UN Warns: Generative AI Risks Becoming Modern Frankenstein's Monster Without Human Rights Protections

The United Nations issued a stark warning on Monday about generative AI potentially transforming into "a modern-day Frankenstein's monster," with human rights becoming the first victim as powerful technology corporations release this technology globally.

Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, acknowledged that generative AI holds "tremendous promise" but cautioned the UN's business and human rights forum that its "exploitation for purely political or economic benefit can manipulate, distort, and distract."

He emphasized that "when powerful tech giants introduce new technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, human rights can be the first casualty."

Turk further elaborated, "The threats to several human rights, including privacy, political participation, free expression and work are clear and present."

He warned that "without proper safeguards and regulations, AI systems have the potential to turn into a modern-day Frankenstein's monster."

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights cautioned that today's threats "could materialize into harms that undermine the promise of emerging technologies and could unleash unpredictable consequences."

He stressed that "governments have a responsibility to come together to prevent such an outcome."

Beyond generative AI concerns, Turk highlighted the dangers posed by increasing corporate power concentration and the substantial "accumulation of personal and corporate wealth among a handful of players."

He noted that "in some cases, this exceeds the economies of entire countries," emphasizing that when "power is not constrained by law, it can lead to abuse and subjugation."