By The South Asia Times

NEW YORK -  Pakistan has called for stronger international safeguards on artificial intelligence, warning that the rapid development of AI could reshape modern warfare and increase the risks of miscalculation, cyberattacks and technological inequality.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on AI and international security, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said AI was transforming societies, economies and security while creating both significant opportunities and new risks.

Dar said AI was becoming a “force multiplier” and a dual-use technology that was opening a new chapter in modern warfare.

He outlined five priorities for managing the technology.

First, he said human judgment and control must be retained throughout the design, development and deployment of AI systems, including in military applications.

Second, Dar urged countries to prevent AI from becoming another arena for an international arms race. He called for regulations, governance frameworks, restraint and confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of miscalculation and increasingly compressed decision-making.

Third, he argued that AI should not become the monopoly of a small number of countries or companies and called for international cooperation to make its development more transparent, inclusive and representative.

Fourth, Pakistan highlighted the security risks posed by AI-enabled misinformation, fake news and cyberattacks, including attacks on critical infrastructure by state and non-state actors.

Fifth, Dar warned that restrictions imposed in the name of AI safety should not become mechanisms for denying technology to developing countries.

“Pacing must not become a new form of gatekeeping,” Dar said, arguing that decisions on managing AI risks should not rest with a small group of companies or governments.

Pakistan also called for AI governance discussions to take place through representative and inclusive forums under UN auspices, saying fragmented or discriminatory approaches could deepen existing technological divides.

Dar welcomed the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held in Geneva this year, and said Pakistan supported international efforts to ensure AI contributes to peace and development.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s participation as a founding member of China’s World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), describing it as a step toward promoting AI development for the benefit of all.

Dar said confidence-building measures were particularly important for maintaining international and regional stability, including practical mechanisms to reduce mistrust, prevent accidental escalation and manage risks associated with military and foundational AI systems.

Pakistan, he said, remained committed to international cooperation aimed at narrowing the global AI divide and promoting equitable access to the technology.