The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on artificial intelligence next week during the UN General Assembly high-level week in New York. France, which holds the rotating presidency of the council in September, is organizing the session focused on the existential threats AI poses to global security and risks to children.

A French diplomatic source told reporters on Monday that AI would rank very high on the agenda through two angles: the existential threat to global security and impacts on children. The source highlighted concerns raised by some AI company leaders themselves about the need for greater oversight.

The announcement comes as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged countries and frontier AI companies to take urgent action. Turk warned of unprecedented risks, including potential disruptions to critical infrastructure and the acceleration of warfare through agentic AI systems.

US President Donald Trump has pushed back against such concerns. On Monday, he described warnings about AI posing a threat to humanity as a hoax and a sick conspiracy, rejecting calls for additional regulations.

This upcoming council session follows a September 11 meeting where ambassadors discussed counter-terrorism efforts, including militants' use of AI, drones, and encrypted platforms. Members adopted a presidential statement on terrorism, the first in five years.

The meeting occurs against a backdrop of broader debates on AI governance. Some nations favor multilateral approaches through the UN, while others question whether the Security Council is the appropriate forum given its limited membership. Developing countries have also expressed worries about being left behind in AI capabilities.

No exact date for the AI-focused session has been confirmed, but it is expected during the General Assembly period when world leaders gather in New York.