Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from becoming another dimension of the ongoing arms race. Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on AI and international security on Thursday, he highlighted the critical importance of maintaining human oversight and control throughout AI’s design, development, and deployment.
Dar noted that AI is rapidly transforming various aspects of life, profoundly affecting societies, economies, and security frameworks worldwide. He pointed out that AI’s influence is especially significant in shaping international and regional peace and stability, describing it as a force multiplier and a dual-use technology that is ushering in a new era of modern warfare.
He stressed that human judgment must remain central to defining AI systems’ architecture and regulating the speed and scope of their evolving capabilities. To prevent AI from fueling an arms race, Dar called for the establishment of robust guardrails, regulatory measures, and governance frameworks. In the military context, he advocated for restraint and confidence-building initiatives to mitigate risks linked to miscalculations and rapid decision-making processes.
Furthermore, Dar warned against allowing AI development to be monopolized by a limited number of actors. He underscored the necessity of international collaboration to ensure AI’s evolution is representative, transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive. The minister also highlighted the challenges AI poses in amplifying misinformation, fake news, and cyber-attacks, including threats to critical infrastructure from both state and non-state actors.
He urged concrete actions to bridge existing gaps and address these challenges, which carry profound implications for global peace and security. Dar cautioned that efforts to accelerate AI advancements should not become a mechanism for technological exclusion. If a few entities dictate the pace while others are restricted, existing inequalities and divides could deepen, turning safety agendas into exclusionary strategies.
“The risks of uncontrolled AI would affect everyone; decisions on managing these risks cannot be concentrated in the hands of a few companies or nations,” he asserted. Dar also called for avoiding fragmentation in AI governance, advocating for comprehensive discussions on AI’s development, deployment, and broader impacts through open, inclusive forums with universal participation under the United Nations’ guidance.
He welcomed the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Geneva earlier this year, affirming Pakistan’s support for collaborative international efforts to harness AI’s benefits while addressing its challenges collectively. Highlighting Pakistan’s role as a founding member of China’s World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), Dar described the initiative as a tangible step toward promoting AI development for the common good.
In addition, he emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures to sustain international and regional peace and security. Practical tools are essential to reduce mistrust, prevent accidental escalations, and manage risks associated with military and foundational AI systems.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to advancing global cooperation on AI and expressed the country’s eagerness to work closely with other member states. The goal is to bridge the global AI divide and ensure equitable access, thereby fostering peace and development for all.
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