UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Wednesday that hate speech is “a poison running through the veins of society” and is being greatly increased by artificial intelligence.
This came in a message from the UN Secretary-General on the occasion of the International Day for Combating Hate Speech, marked annually on June 18.
He stated that hate speech is “a poison running through the veins of society and has paved the way for the violence and atrocities witnessed in the darkest chapters of human history.”
Guterres explained that “ethnic and religious minorities often bear the heaviest effects, facing discrimination, exclusion, and abuse.”
He added: “Today, we are witnessing a speed and scale of hate speech that we have never seen before, as its spread is greatly increased by artificial intelligence.
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Biased algorithms and digital platforms are spreading toxic content and creating new spaces for harassment and abuse.” The UN Secretary-General emphasized that “to silence the voices of hate, we need partnerships at all levels between governments, civil society, private companies, and religious and community leaders.”
He continued, “We need to counter toxic rhetoric with positive messages and empower people to recognize, reject, and challenge hate speech.”
Guterres called for celebrating the International Day for Combating Hate Speech with a “commitment to using artificial intelligence as a force for good, not an instrument of hate.” He added, “Let us join together in the pursuit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding for all.”
