UN calls for governments to regulate AI agents using precautionary principle before risks are quantified

According to The Verge coverage of a UN scientific assessment, the UN has called for governments to regulate increasingly capable AI agents using a precautionary principle rather than waiting for risks to be fully measured. The statement represents the UN's first major scientific position on AI governance. The recommendation urges regulatory action ahead of complete risk quantification.

Update (2026-09-24): According to TechCrunch and Wired, a UN scientific panel warned that governments must regulate AI agents before risks are fully understood, advocating a precautionary principle approach. US Treasury chief Scott Bessent stated that huma...