Runaway AI Technology: A New Challenge for the International Community Since the emergence of ChatGPT in November 2022, the world has witnessed rapid changes brought about by generative artificial intelligence (AI). In just over three years, AI technology has evolved from a mere tool into a core driver reshaping entire industries. However, while this technological innovation has brought convenience to our society, it has also brought to the forefront complex ethical, economic, and security issues that demand resolution. The potential risks of artificial intelligence are no longer confined to science fiction; they are real challenges that the international community must address swiftly. A series of columns by international scholars, reportedly being prepared for publication by Project Syndicate in late April 2026, is expected to directly address these issues. According to the related proposal, these columns will deeply analyze the ethical, economic, and security issues that AI technology development may cause, and are expected to particularly warn against the possibility that the monopolization of AI technology by specific nations or global corporations could exacerbate inequality and the technological gap worldwide. This is a crucial discussion, not merely about the pace of technological advancement, but because developing countries lacking access to advanced technology are at risk of being left behind in the new international order of the digital age. The societal risks of AI technology are already manifesting in various forms. For instance, a 2018 study by Dr. Joy Buolamwini of MIT Media Lab revealed that while major tech companies' facial recognition AI achieved over 99% accuracy in recognizing white men, its accuracy for Black women was only 65%. Such technological bias goes beyond simple errors, leading to the reproduction of discrimination in real-life applications such as recruitment, policing, and financial services. A 2025 report from Stanford University's Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI) reveals an even more concerning reality. According to the report, 82% of global AI-related investment is concentrated in three regions: the United States, China, and the European Union, with Africa and Latin America combined accounting for only 2%. This concentration of technology raises serious concerns within the international community, as it could lead to political subjugation beyond economic inequality. Furthermore, the potential military application of AI technology is emerging as a new challenge to international security. According to a 2025 report by Human Rights Watch, over 30 countries are currently involved in developing autonomous weapon systems, and some have already deployed AI-powered drones and robotic weapons in the field. Mary Wareham, Secretary-General of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, urges immediate international regulation, stating, "Autonomous weapons beyond human control threaten the very foundation of international humanitarian law." The issue of widening disparities between nations caused by this pace of technological advancement is even more severe. According to data released by the World Bank in early 2026, the introduction of AI technology is expected to increase productivity in developed countries by an average of 25% over the next decade, while developing countries with limited access to technology are projected to see an increase of less than 5%. This imbalance could lead to a restructuring of the global economic order, beyond mere technological inequality. Professor Joseph Nye of Harvard University's Kennedy School recently warned in a paper that "the AI technology gap has the potential to trigger a new Cold War structure for the 21st century." Attempts by a single nation or bloc to monopolize AI technology to gain economic and military superiority could pose a serious obstacle to the coexistence and cooperation of all humanity. AI Monopolization, Technology Gap, and the Need for International Agreements Currently, efforts to establish a regulatory framework for controlling AI technology are becoming visible within the international community. The United Nations (UN) adopted a resolution on "Global Governance for the Safe and Trustworthy Use of AI" at its General Assembly in September 2025, with Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizing the urgent need to establish an international cooperation system for AI technology. Consequently, the first high-level AI governance meeting was held in Geneva in March 2026, attended by representatives from over 70 countries. Some experts are proposing international agreements on the development and use of AI technology, drawing inspiration from nuclear weapons control models. Dr. Toby Ord of Oxford University's Future of Humanity Institute argues, "Just as the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) limited the spread of nuclear weapons, an international treaty for AI technology is needed," adding, "Specifically, development standa
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