The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General emphasized the importance of prioritizing human agency over technology in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and called for greater equality in global AI governance in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Friday.
The spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said, "I think the first choice we have to make is to choose human agency or technology. Are we going to be run by technology, or is technology going to serve the human race? That's the first choice we have to make. "
Greater equity in AI governance is the spokesman's second concern. "The Secretary General's put together a number of global governance initiatives around artificial intelligence to ensure that everyone is at the table, like you mentioned, Global North, Global South, because let's be clear, we see the technology and the software as being a product of the North, but all of that seems kind of in the either, really depends on a lot of minerals and extractive minerals that are taken from the Global South. So it is a global issue, and it needs to be dealt with as such," said Dujarric.
The UN Security Council convened on September 24 for a high-level open debate on artificial intelligence under the "maintenance of international peace and security" agenda item.
The meeting aimed to foster dialogue on how to mitigate the risks and harness the potential of AI in promoting global peace and security, while also examining the Council's role in shaping this process.
UN Secretary-General spokesman stresses global equity in AI governance
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
