Former Colombian President and The Elders Chair Juan Manuel Santos has called for artificial intelligence to be developed and governed with the well-being of humanity as its primary objective. Speaking at a Vatican event on AI and nuclear weapons organized by the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly, Santos argued that AI should strengthen human dignity, peace, and international cooperation rather than deepen conflict, inequality, or concentration of power. He stressed that the rapid advancement of AI demands global leadership and shared responsibility to ensure the technology benefits everyone, not just a handful of governments or technology companies.
A central message of the speech is that AI governance must be international, transparent, and grounded in human rights. Santos warned that AI's influence now extends far beyond the technology sector into healthcare, education, employment, security, and democratic institutions, making fragmented national approaches insufficient. He called for stronger multilateral cooperation through international institutions to establish common standards for safety, accountability, and responsible AI development. The Elders have also advocated for international legal frameworks governing military AI and autonomous weapons to reduce global security risks.
The speech also highlights the ethical responsibilities of governments, technology companies, researchers, and civil society. Santos argued that AI should always remain under meaningful human oversight, with decisions affecting people's rights and freedoms subject to accountability and transparency. He emphasized that innovation and regulation should not be viewed as opposing forces; instead, responsible governance can help build public trust while enabling AI to contribute positively to scientific progress, economic development, and social well-being.
The article concludes that AI represents one of the defining challenges of the 21st century, requiring the same level of international cooperation that has been applied to other global risks such as nuclear weapons and climate change. Santos urged world leaders to act before technological progress outpaces governance, arguing that AI must remain a tool that serves humanity rather than one that undermines human values, peace, or democratic institutions. According to The Elders, ensuring that AI is developed in the public interest will require inclusive global governance, ethical leadership, and sustained international collaboration.
