PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

António Guterres

António Guterres is the United Nations Secretary-General who has made global AI governance part of his public work. He studied electrical engineering in Lisbon, led Portugal as prime minister, and served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees before taking office at the UN in 2017. In October 2023, he announced the UN AI Advisory Body to support international efforts to govern artificial intelligence. The body's 2024 report, Governing AI for Humanity, informed two AI governance bodies adopted by the General Assembly in August 2025. As of October 2026, he remains Secretary-General and calls for binding international cooperation on AI.

Timeline

  1. 1971

    Electrical engineering in Lisbon

    He earns an electrical engineering degree from Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon in 1971.

  2. 1995–2002

    Prime Minister of Portugal

    From 1995 to 2002, he serves as Portugal's prime minister and leads the XIII and XIV Constitutional Governments.

  3. 2005–2015

    Leading UNHCR

    He serves as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015.

  4. 2017–2026

    A second term at the UN

    He takes office as Secretary-General in 2017 and receives a second term from 2022 through 2026.

  5. October 2023

    Creating the UN AI body

    He announces the creation of the UN AI Advisory Body in October 2023 to support international efforts to govern artificial intelligence.

  6. 2024–2025

    A report shapes UN AI policy

    In August 2025, the General Assembly adopts two AI governance bodies based on recommendations from the Advisory Body's 2024 report, Governing AI for Humanity.

  7. As of October 2026

    Calling for AI safeguards

    As Secretary-General, he calls for binding international cooperation on AI governance in September 2026 and warns that life-and-death decisions must never be handed to machines.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of António Guterres yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Biografia - António Guterres, secretário-geral das Nações Unidas unric.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Candidacy of Mr António Guterres for the post of United Nations Secretary-General - XXI Government - Portuguese Republic portugal.gov.pt. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Selection and Appointment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations | General Assembly of the United Nations un.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. UN Secretary-General launches AI Advisory Body on risks, opportunities, and international governance of artificial intelligence | United Nations in India india.un.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. The artificial intelligence we want - United Nations Western Europe unric.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Guterres: 'Cracks have become canyons' as world faces four tests of power | United Nations un.org. Checked 15 October 2026.