UN AI experts call for rational debate amid apocalyptic fears

On September 22, 2026, experts from the United Nations' Artificial Intelligence Committee urged caution against apocalyptic narratives surrounding AI. Joelle Barral, a member of the International Scientific Panel on AI and former executive at Google's DeepMind, emphasized the need for scientific rigor over fear-mongering. She criticized recent statements from AI researchers, including Jacob Coxon, who warned that AI could potentially end humanity by the end of this decade. A former DeepMind engineer also expressed similar concerns in July. Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and investigative journalist, called for a shift in how AI risks are discussed. She argued that public discourse has swung between extreme views—either catastrophic or dismissive. Yoshua Bengio, a co-chair of the International Scientific Panel on AI and considered one of AI's founders, stressed the importance of distinguishing between established facts and speculative projections. He warned against polarizing rhetoric and called for a global, rational dialogue to address AI risks responsibly.