Andy Burnham Addresses UN General Assembly on AI Regulation Amid Low Attendance

Andy Burnham addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026, emphasizing the need for global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. His speech occurred during a sparsely attended session, contrasting with the earlier address by former President Donald Trump, who criticized regulatory efforts. Burnham highlighted the potential risks associated with AI development and called for a set of common global rules to govern the technology, arguing that the future of AI should not be left solely to the private sector. He referenced warnings from tech industry leaders about the dangers posed by AI, including a statement from the head of alignment at Anthropic, who suggested a 10% chance that AI could lead to catastrophic outcomes within the next decade. Burnham stated that while AI has the potential to transform economies and address health issues, it also poses significant risks that must be managed by elected governments. He urged leaders to take decisive action to ensure AI serves human interests and contributes to reindustrialization and opportunity.