Describing artificial intelligence (AI) as a "double-edged sword," China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that Beijing supports a central coordinating role of the UN in establishing guiding principles for AI.

Zhang made the remarks at the first UN Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence on Tuesday.

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who chaired the meeting under Britain's July presidency of the body, said AI will "fundamentally alter every aspect of human life," adding the international community is in urgent need to "shape the global governance of transformative technologies because AI knows no borders."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also warned of the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and urged the Security Council to exercise leadership on AI and show the way toward common measures for the transparency, accountability, and oversight of AI systems.

Guterres backs calls by some states for the creation of a new UN body "to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology," modeled on the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Zhang expressed support for the UN playing a central coordinating role in this regard. He proposed five principles of AI governance and stressed the principle of putting ethics first in developing AI.

He said to ensure AI always benefits humanity and prevent the technology from becoming a "runaway horse," it's necessary to take a people-centered and AI-for-good approach, adding efforts should be made to gradually establish and improve ethical norms, laws, regulations, and policy systems for AI.

He also stressed risk control mechanisms, saying the international community needs to enhance risk awareness, establish effective risk warning and response mechanisms, and ensure that risks beyond human control do not occur and that mankind has the ability to "press the stop button" at critical moments.

Zhang addressed equal access and utilization of AI technology products and services by developing countries, as well. He said it's crucial to bridge the technological, digital, and development divides between the global North and the South. As for certain developed countries seeking technological hegemony, maliciously obstructing the technological development of other countries, and artificially creating technological barriers, China firmly opposes these practices, Zhang said.

Moreover, he advocated for openness and inclusiveness for science and technology development, saying countries should maintain a balance between safety concerns and technological progress, encourage interdisciplinary, inter-industrial, inter-regional, and cross-border exchanges and dialogues, and oppose various forms of exclusive clubs, decoupling and disconnection.

"We need to promote coordination and interaction among international organizations, government departments, research and educational institutions, enterprises, and the public in the field of AI development and governance under the UN framework, and jointly create an open, inclusive, just, and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological development," Zhang said.

He highlighted the peaceful use of AI technology, saying countries should develop AI technologies to promote innovation and sustainable development, and oppose the use of AI to seek military hegemony or to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

To conclude his speech, Zhang said that China stands ready to work with the international community to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative in the field of AI, and is willing to share the benefits of AI with other countries while jointly preventing and responding to risks and challenges.