A powerful coalition of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders including Nobel laureates, former Presidents and Prime Ministers, and top AI scientists, has issued an urgent appeal to governments around the world to regulate Artificial Intelligence before risks associated with AI spiral out of control.
In a declaration issued on 27th March 2026, The Elders noted that the rapidly increasing gap between AI capabilities and effective governance has become a crisis that demands immediate global leadership and cooperation.
Although Artificial Intelligence has enormous benefits to offer in healthcare, education, and agriculture, its risks, however, are also evident and growing rapidly.
The most pressing risks include the premature use of AI in military technologies, leading to international law violations and catastrophic damage, enabling mass surveillance, discrimination, and political misinformation, and the environmental damage caused by AI, especially to poor communities.
The Elders also reject claims that AI development and its risks are moving too fast to be regulated, and therefore, companies should be allowed to self-regulate, and also claims that geopolitical rivalry is more important than public safety.
Instead, they call for a collective global effort grounded in scientific research, transparency, and accountability. The United Nations must play an essential role in leading international dialogue and action.
Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, joined this call, reflecting on social media: “The gap between rapidly advancing AI capability and effective governance is no longer a future concern but a crisis demanding urgent leadership and global cooperation. AI governance cannot be left to markets alone or narrow geopolitical competition. The choices we make now will determine who benefits from AI and who bears its risks.”
The Elders’ declaration highlights three critical areas requiring urgent government intervention: ensuring peace and security by halting reckless AI weaponization, protecting rule of law and human rights by addressing surveillance and misinformation abuses, and tackling the environmental impact of AI data centers.
This unprecedented global statement sends a clear message: AI is here to stay, but unless governments act decisively now, the consequences could be catastrophic. The Elders and their allies urge governments and all stakeholders to unite, govern AI responsibly, and shape a future where AI serves humanity fostering a safer, more just, and sustainable world for all.
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